Dale Eve and Spennymoor Town bounced back to form with a much needed victory today in the Vanarama National League North, but there was defeat for fellow Bermudians Nahki Wells, with Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship, and Justin Donawa, making his first start for Solihull Moors in the National League.

Spennymoor had been criticised by manager Jason Ainsley as being sloppy in their 2-0 defeat at home to mid-table Guiseley in midweek and put in an accomplished performance in a 3-1 win over Curzon Ashton to get their promotion challenge back on track.

Eve, the Bermuda goalkeeper, was not particularly overworked but manfully dealt with most that came his way.

It was at the other end where most of the action took place, with visiting goalkeeper Cameron Mason in good form and hugely responsible for keeping the scoreline respectable.

Spennymoor were well worth the lead given to them in the eighteenth minute by Rob Ramshaw, but before that Eve needed to be sharp to keep out Dominic Knowles.

The visiting side gained parity eight minutes into the second half when the towering Harry Flowers, up for a corner, headed in after the set play could not be cleared.

Before Spennymoor had time to feel sorry for themselves, they were back in front when Ramshaw nabbed his second after shaking off his marker and hitting a firm drive past Mason.

There should have been only one team in it from this point, but Eve twice had to save to deny Curzon an undeserved point.

The three points were secured in the dying stages when substitute Ben McKenna shot past Mason after superb work by Ryan Hall.

The victory carries Spennymoor into seventh place, nine points behind leaders Gloucester City having played three games fewer, and sets them up for testing trips to Brackley Town on Tuesday and York City next Saturday.

There was disappointment at Ashton Gate, where Bristol City went down 1-0 at home to Birmingham City and threw away the chance to go third in the Championship.

City had most of the chances, including one that Wells blazed over, but were stung by an 80th-minute header from Birmingham captain Harlee Dean.

The result leaves City in eighth place on 27 points, four behind leaders Norwich City.

Donawa’s debut start for Solihull Moors ended in a coruscating 4-1 defeat away to second-placed Sutton United in the National League.

The Bermuda forward, playing for the first time since November 11 because of Covid-19 delays and through being cup-tied for Solihull’s run in the Emirates FA Cup, got his chance as a right wing-back.

He enjoyed a promising start linking up play, but the home team were deserved winners after being sent on their way by a fortuitous opening goal midway through the first half.

Donawa, who was booked in the first half, was replaced after 79 minutes with the score 3-1.

Solihull, who dropped to twelfth place with the defeat but have as many as four games in hand on the teams above them, are in action again next Saturday at home to Bromley in a match that will be televised by BT Sport.