Cleethorpes Town took another step towards securing the Sills & Betteridge Lincolnshire League title with a 2-0 win against Horncastle Town at The Wong.

Alex Flett scored his first goal for the Owls to break the deadlock before Callum Day tucked home deep into stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.

With Skegness United edging past Grimsby Borough Reserves by two goals to one, it means the gap at the top remains 13 points, with United still to play four games in hand.

Cleethorpes manager Andy Liddle was without Luke Mascall and Renzie Lobendhan, while Ricky Belding continued his suspension after being dismissed in the 1-0 defeat to Hykeham last month.

Forward Luke Todd, who has been suffering with an ankle problem, was given his first start of 2012 while first-choice goalkeeper Scott Drury reclaimed his place between the posts.

Drury almost made his comeback one to forget after seven minutes when he fluffed an attempted clearance and gave Horncastle striker Will Carter the chance to open the scoring. But, from a tough angle, Carter spooned the ball wide.

Five minutes later, Stephen Brown breezed through the Cleethorpes backline but struck his shot into the side netting.

The Owls backline had started extremely hesitantly and certainly didn’t look like a team which had, in fact, conceded just one goal in 2012.

There was half an hour on the clock before Cleethorpes finally fashioned their first opportunity – but when it arrived they took it.

Darren Hanslip’s throw-in picked out Phil Cawley who held the ball up well before laying it off to the on-rushing Alex Flett.

The former Bradford City youngster took the ball well in his stride before lashing into the corner to give the away side the lead.

Todd could have doubled the lead soon after subsequent to rounding Keith Jones in the Horncastle goal but he was off balance and couldn’t connect properly with his shot.

Liddle was sure to have given his side the hairdryer treatment at the interval after a half during which his men had had to endure several scares.

Cleethorpes began the second period much more positively. Todd had two opportunities early in the half but failed to force Jones into any serious action.

The away side were keeping possession infinitely better than they had in the first half. After a good team move, Jonathan Oglesby whipped an effort inches wide on the hour mark.

Despite the advantage standing at just one goal, Horncastle were providing very little to trouble Drury. Carter tried an ambitious effort from 30 yards out but it soared over the Owls’ crossbar.

The scoreline was almost made more comfortable with 15 minutes left. Hanslip’s deep cross picked out Cawley, whose header dropped just wide as Jones gave a despairing dive.

With Horncastle throwing men forward towards the end of the game, gaps were sure to appear. And, after Scott Wilson had missed a great chance to equalise for the home side, Cleethorpes sealed the win.

Oglesby bamboozled Darryl Dunn down the left-flank before pulling the ball back for substitute Callum Day who tapped in to grab his sixth goal of the season.

With a league and cup double still very much on the cards, Cleethorpes host Heckington United at The Linden Homes Club next weekend.