SUBSTITUTES provided the key for Alvechurch to finish off fellow high-fliers Kettering Town 2-0 after an enthralling encounter.
Tim Flowers' young side have kept a series of clean sheets with Church surging towards the top of Southern League Premier Division Central.
The two goals at the end at Lye Meadow were a dramatic climax to a gritty encounter.
Church had chances to open the scoring in an open first half when on-loan striker Frank Tattum, signed from Birmingham City, twice found himself on the end of a run and pass from Kieran Wakefield before being foiled by saves from keeper Jason Alexander.
The latter stop on 40 minutes saw the ball fall to Wakefield but his snap effort cleared the bar.
Earlier in the half the visitors had good chances of their own with Levi Andoh's drive touched around the post by keeper Redman Evans.
Kettering threatened immediately at the beginning of the second period after Will Merrett was caught in possession and one effort was blocked with the follow-up from Callum Powell tipped over by Evans.
On 51 minutes Tattum fed Wakefield but the keeper did well to block the ball with his feet on the edge of the box.
Callum Sullivan's shot was deflected wide and from the ensuing corner Jessy Bavanganga shot just over on the turn from inside the box.
A clutch of substitutions saw Sullivan scuff a chance off target on 77 minutes.
Thomas Conteh was introduced as sub on 78 minutes and probably in an unaccustomed front runner role.
Conteh cut inside and went over a trailing leg with Tope Obadeyi drilling the resulting penalty low into the net in the last minute of normal time.
Church then hit Kettering on the counter five minutes into added time and Obadeyi fed the onrushing Conteh who took the pass in his stride and stroked it into an empty net to kill the game off.
After Tuesday night's home game with Quorn, Church head to St Ives Town on Saturday (3pm) and neighbours Redditch United on Monday (7.45pm).
Meanwhile, Redditch United lost 3-2 at Bishop's Stortford in Premier Division Central ahead of Tuesday's short trip to Halesowen Town (7.45pm).
Matty Warburton and Alex Cameron scored the goals.
The Reds then host Kettering on Saturday (3pm) before the Monday derby with Alvechurch at the Valley Stadium.
Defender Joe Hull has left but centre-half Max Ram rejoined from Leamington and midfielder Aram Soleman signed a contract until the end of the season.
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