Tamworth's two-month pursuit of former Aston Villa and Celtic striker Tommy Johnson has finally reaped its reward.

The Lambs yesterday clinched the signing of the 35-year-old on loan for the rest of the season from Scunthorpe United.

Tamworth boss Mark Cooper hopes the third coup signing inside a fortnight - following the arrivals of Nicky Summerbee and Paul Merson - will provide the extra class to haul the club out of their relegation fight in the Nationwide Conference.

The Lambs had been tracking Johnson but their interest had been on hold while Scunthorpe added their own new front-runner. Johnson (pictured below) is set to make his Lambs debut on Saturday when they head to Grays Athletic. n Mark Owen struck twice but Malvern Town had to settle for a point in last night's top of the table clash with Romulus in the Harvey World Travel Midland Alliance.

Owen twice gave the table-toppers the lead, but Seb Hamilton twice levelled, the second coming ten minutes from time. Malvern edge five points clear of Stourbridge, having played a game more, while Romulus remain fourth, six points adrift with two matches in hand.

It was night of firsts for Leamington as they hammered Biddulph Victoria 5-0 at the New Windmill Ground. Record appearance maker Josh Blake reached 250 games for the Brakes, while they rattled up their biggest win as an Alliance club.

Dave Care's first goal of the season gave Leamington an 18th-minute lead and Jody McKay grabbed two goals to open a comfortable 3-0 half time lead. An own goal (61) and a Jon Adams' goal (87) completed the victory.

Alvechurch also hit five in their biggest win of the season, crushing Cause-way United 5-0 at Lye Meadow. Keith Rostill and Oliver Harthill, on loan from Birmingham City, put Church 2-0 ahead at the break and then Rostill fired home his second, Jamie McWilliams converted a penalty and Adrian Parkes lobbed home the fifth.

Bromsgrove Rovers again suffered for their lack of a finishing touch after two second-half goals gave visitors Leighton Town the points in their Southern One West game.

Matty Johnson had a 'goal' disallowed and Kevin Banner twice went close as Rovers dominated but Leighton took the points through two goals from Michael Chennells on 59 and 75 minutes.

Defender Troy Douglin was the hero to steer Rushall Olympic into the semi-finals of the Staffordshire Senior Cup. Douglin's effort two minutes after half-time sealed a 2-1 win at Leek Town and earned a last-four trip to Chasetown.