Goals from Johnny Abrams and Anthony Beilin sent Haroldeans top of the MJSL Joan Collins Premier Division after they beat long-time leaders Republic of Mancunia 2-1.

The match on Merseyside was billed as a title decider and proved to be a real thriller.

Republic went into the match knowing that victory would take them six points clear. For Haroldeans, maximum points would put them in pole position, given that they have four games in hand.

Haroldeans started the better of the two sides and had plenty of chances early on, the best of them coming with a shot from Zach Goodman from 30 yards out which hit the bar.

Republic also had their fare share of chances and it was the visitors who broke the deadlock on 35 minutes as the Haroldeans backline allowed striker Paul Basger to run through as they thought he was offside. The ball was slotted passed keeper Mike Cross and the goal stood to put Republic one up at the break.

The second half saw Haroldeans push forward at every opportunity, but still could not break the deadlock. The management team then changed the formation which made the difference and the equaliser came through Beilin, who having missed an easier chance earlier in the game, slipped through the defence and slotted the ball past the keeper.

At this stage you would have thought Haroldeans would have settled for the draw, but they kept pushing forward looking for the winner and were rewarded with seven minutes to go with an precision pass from centre half Adam Cross found Abrams who fired the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Haroldeans chairman Fraser Saville said: “This was one of the most exciting games I have seen this season and although it’s not over yet it certainly puts us in the driving seat with games in hand.”