EYES are already beginning to turn to the March 20 showdown with third-placed Telford after Leek racked up their 13th Midlands Three West (North) win on the trot.

Saturday's 12-0 victory at Telford maintained Leek's three-point advantage at the head of the division after tries from Ian Harris and Elliott Fowler.

Last weekend's victory was also Leek's sixth shut-out of the season and sixth away win in succession.

Just five league fixtures now remain with the Moorlands outfit on the brink of winning promotion.

However, Leek will be wary of the threat posed by Veseyans and Tamworth, who both could move to within one point of the table-toppers if they win their games in hand.

With Gary McDermott and Sam Hunt still out with injury, and Dave Ackerley unavailable, there were changes for the away team on Saturday.

Harris started at fly-half with Dave Kennaway moved to inside centre.

James Wilson maintained his outside centre position, while Andy Green returned to the left wing and Lucas Buxton continued on the right wing.

Fowler retained the full-back spot after another impressive display under the high ball the previous week.

With Ackerley out, Jamie Gordon started at loose-head prop with Charlie Futcher and Jason Milner making up the front row.

The dependable second-row partnership of James Newby and Andy McFadden was in operation along with the unchanged back row of Luke Granger, Rhodri Hughes and skipper Adam Nettel.

On the bench, Luke Staton was joined by 18-year-olds Luke Hardern and James Floyd.

Without a recognised kicker in the team, Leek spurned a number of early chances.

After just 19 seconds, the away side missed their first penalty following a kick-off offence. And that set the tone for a stuttering performance.

Another penalty miss on seven minutes – following a change of kicker – did little to inspire the team, who could not break a resolute Telford defence despite all their possession and territory.

The next 10 minutes produced another three penalties for Leek in their opponents' half and they chose to go for the line-outs. But poor execution kept the scoreline at 0-0.

On 26 minutes, Leek's backs received tidy ball and with an overlap the ball was touched down for a try by Green.

However, the referee had already blown for an infringement when the move began.

Newby then had to be replaced by Staton after a blood injury.

Finally, on 31 minutes, Hughes picked up at the back of a scrum five metres from the Telford line.

A couple of quick rucks followed before Harris sprinted through the depleted defence to score the opening try. Buxton kicked the conversion to give Leek a 7-0 advantage

On 36 minutes, Telford threatened for the first time. The hosts won a penalty for holding on in the tackle.

Although the attempt went wide, Telford's confidence continued to grow.

As the game entered first-half stoppage time, the home side forced a series of five-metre scrums.

However, Leek's solid defence frustrated the home forwards, who were caught offside, allowing Leek to clear.

The visitors were penalised again for a binding offence in the scrum.

But Leek arrived into the break unscathed after the 40-metre attempt fell short.

As the second half opened, Telford won a scrum against the head but a knock-on thwarted the home side's attempt to capitalise.

On 46 minutes Floyd came on for Leek at outside centre with Wilson moved to the wing after Buxton was substituted.

Three minutes later Leek escaped again when Telford's fly-half was well adrift with his penalty attempt following a deliberate knock-on.

Leek eventually ground their way out of their own half and a neat backs move saw play move into Telford territory.

On 58 minutes, Leek won a line-out on the Telford 22.

Harris then made a fantastic break and was stopped just short of the line.

A quick ruck saw the ball moved wide and Futcher burst for the line.

He was held up but Fowler provided excellent support.

He took the ball off Futcher and dived over for a well deserved try.

The conversion was missed, but Leek extended their lead to 12-0 and looked to have broken Telford's resistance.

On 68 minutes, Staton came on for the injured Kennaway, with Granger moved to the centre.

Minutes later, Hardern came on in the second row for McFadden as Telford started to press again.

Telford pressed on 76 minutes – winning a penalty under the post for offside.

In their haste they took a quick tap penalty and ran blind.

But Hughes intercepted and Needham cleared.

On 81 minutes, Leek broke out of their half and the backs moved the ball nicely – eventually leading to a chip through by Fowler.

However, Telford cleared for a line-out on their 22.

After winning the ball back, Futcher linked superbly with Fowler who made a beautifully timed run to take the pass and drive towards the Telford 22.

Granger linked and then Hardern drove for the line. He was grounded just short and the referee then penalised Leek for diving over the top.

From the resulting line-out, Newby was yellow-carded for pulling down his opposite man and Telford besieged the Leek 22 in search of a consolation score. Leek lived dangerously – giving penalties away as Telford rushed to score.

Eventually, an overlap on the left wing saw the home winger beat three men and go over the line, only for Harris to knock the ball out of the player's hands as he dived over.

In the final play, Green broke clear and sprinted from his own half to within five metres of the line before being tackled.