The Senior League Premier Division title is far from a done deal.
A second-half rally at Caterpillar, however, established Rothley Imps firmly in the role of favourites to retain their crown as they completed a 4-2 success.
Imps now have a nine-point advantage over second-placed Caterpillar. They might have two games in hand on the defending champions, but they have already suffered a brace of defeats to Rothley.
That did not look like being the case when goals from Adam McNally and Shaun Robinson gave Caterpillar a 2-1 half-time advantage.
But the Black brothers struck after the interval to turn the game on its head. Aiden helped himself to a treble and the other Imps' goal came from Aaron.
Highfield Rangers returned to action – and winning ways – as they completed a 3-0 victory at Desford.
Jackson Powell, Tim Bond and Fariq Yusaf shared the goals, which pushed Rangers up to fourth place.
Birstall United maintained their upturn in form with a useful point at Cottesmore Amateurs. The goalless draw in Rutland snapped Amateurs' winning streak at four.
Blaby & Whetstone Athletic's hopes of putting pressure on the leading pair in the East Midlands Counties League were dashed – for the time being at least – by Basford United.
The second-placed side snatched all three points at Warwick Road courtesy of an own goal, the only one of the match.
There were finally smiles around the Ibstock United camp as they claimed their first league win of the season, pipping Holwell Sports at Welby Road.
Goals from Andy Fell and Jamie Chamberlain gave United a flying start as they went 2-0 up in the first 13 minutes.
The hosts did pull a goal back but Ibstock held on to clinch three points. They remain at the foot of the table but life will seem a good deal rosier now.
Lutterworth Athletic went down to a last-minute goal at home to Radcliffe, and Thurnby Nirvana finished empty-handed as they were beaten by the only goal at Greenwood Meadows.
St Andrews had not won in the previous seven matches as they travelled to Gedling Miners Welfare. But they ended that difficult sequence in some style with a 3-0 victory.
Brady Hickey, Sam Hollis and Rich Saunders – who could prove a key acquisition over the second half of the season – scored the goals.
Bardon Hill Sports earned a place in the second round of the League Cup with a good win at Holbrook.
Dean Partner and Sam Saunt netted to give the county side a 2-0 verdict.
