TOM Craine’s late goal earned Knowle a crucial 1-0 victory against AFC Coventry Rangers as the Robins returned to winning ways.
Craine struck six minutes from time at the Draintech Community Ground before Jay Rendell had a penalty saved in injury time.
The result means Knowle lead the Midland Football League Division Two table by nine points with joint-boss Clive Seeley pleased to come away with the spoils.
Seeley said: “I’m really chuffed with the three points, it was all about the points, there’s never much to choose between the teams.
“I thought we deserved it, we were really good in the second half and put them under a load of pressure.
“We really stepped it up in the second half, it was pleasing, and we matched them physically.”
The Robins handed debuts to Khalil Harrison in defence and Hayden Perves in attack only for the latter to suffer an injury just half an hour into his Knowle bow.
Despite having the better of the chances in the first half, Knowle failed to find a way past Coventry goalkeeper Jack Hartop.
The Robins controlled the game after the restart as midfield trio Dylon Bennett, Toby Scott and Reece Staley dominated Rangers in the middle of the park.
And six minutes from time, Craine headed home from a corner following a goalmouth scramble with the assistant referee confirming the ball had crossed the line.
The home side had a chance to seal the points in injury time only for substitute Rendell to see his effort saved.
Knowle are next in action away at Fairfield Villa on Saturday, January 20 with kick-off at 2pm at Stourbridge Road.
