KRISTIAN Green scored six minutes from time as Gornal Athletic snatched a vital derby win.

The full-back forced home Matt Martin’s free-kick to break Dudley’s stubborn resistance and keep the Peacocks West Midlands Premier title hopes very much on course.

It was a rare effort on goal on an evening where both keepers were not extensively tested.

Brett McGilligan had Dudley’s best effort but shot weakly at Gornal stopper James Pemberton when through on goal.

On such nights as this can titles be won and lost.

For 84 minutes Gornal boss Ian Rowe must have feared his former club were about to become a serious stumbling block in his side’s pursuit of long-time league leaders Black Country Rangers.

Then came Green’s goal, fully deserved considering the pressure the visitors had been exerting in the second period, bringing with it sheer relief and three priceless points.

At this stage of the season it does not matter how you win, just that you win.

Rangers’ 6-3 win against Goodrich means the maths remain the same. If Rowe’s side win seven of their last eight, they are champions.

For Dudley there was only disappointment after a sterling effort but in truth they faded after a bright start.

Danny Ludlow caused Gornal plenty of problems down the left in the opening exchanges and forced Pemberton into what proved to be rare action with a second minute shot the keeper had to tip round the post.

Gornal looked clunky. Matt Martin had their first effort when he sent a shot high over the bar, while Marvin Nisbett overran the ball under pressure from Dudley keeper James Trevalan.

Pemberton was far busier at the other end, being forced to tip over a Ludlow cross and a Ben Store corner under pressure.

But neither side were creating much in the way of clear cut chances and when one did fall to Matt Martin after a neat Nisbett dummy, he could only fire over from eight yards.

It wasn’t the only time in the evening Martin would trouble the Dudley ball boys. He got considerably closer with a dinked free-kick, while at the other end Ludlow found some rare space but sliced his finish wide of Pemberton’s near post.

Perhaps motivated by some strong words from Rowe at the break, Gornal began the second half with much more purpose and for the first 15 minutes put their hosts under considerable.

Stretton and Matt Martin continued the fad of shooting off target, though Pete Wood did manage the first effort on target for the visitors six minutes in.

The Peacocks forced a number of corners, with Martin’s inswingers creating some consternation. A Conor Gater header lead to the first of several scrambles in the box.

Despite rarely getting out of their half in the first 15 minutes of the second period, the hosts proceeded to squander two good chances to take the lead.

First Store got too much on his header from a whipped in Ludlow free-kick, sending the ball over the bar. From the restart, Gornal’s Mike Perks got caught in possession and McGilligan burst clear, only to send a tame finish straight at Pemberton.

That was it in terms of Dudley’s chances, as Gornal continued to ramp up the pressure.

Trevalen was brave to beat Nisbett to a loose ball in the box, requiring attention from the physio as a result. Green sent a header over the bar as the visitors still struggled to turn their possession into chances.

But they never let frustration get the better of them and with six minutes to go the pressure told.

Nisbett escaped Chris Whittaker on the right wing and was unceremoniously tugged back by the defender just outside the box. Martin’s low free-kick was missed by everyone at the near post and fell to Green, who turned the ball home to spark scenes of jubilation among the visiting players.

Lee Wherton came close to doubling the lead as Gornal saw out the remaining minutes without any major alarms.

DUDLEY: Trevalan, Edmunds, Whittaker, Love, Whitley, Perry (Beresford 76), Faux (Normontas 87), Langford, Store (Francis-Mills 85), McGilligan, Ludlow subs not used: Arnold, Greenthorpe.

GORNAL: Pemberton, Green, Wood, Gater, Waterhouse (c), Perks, Stretton (Weyman 76), Wherton, Nisbett, Martin C (Leonard 85), Martin M (Wilkhoo 87) subs not used: Young, Keates.

Goal: Green 84.