Ilkeston move into play-offs as Macclesfield go further clear | NPL round-up | Saturday 15 February

Robbie Savage's Silkmen trailed with little over 10 minutes on the clock but produced a comeback of champions against in-form opposition, levelling through Danny Elliott with 15 minutes gone before second-half goals from Tre Pemberton and D'Mani Mellor saw them to all three points.

Macclesfield, who have now won five of their last six games, stretched their lead at the top of the division after nearest challengers Guiseley were held by play-off hopefuls Ilkeston Town.

Colin Daniel struck first for the visitors at Nethermoor, but Jordan Thewlis' quick leveller from the penalty spot seven minutes before half-time ensured the Lions took a share of the spoils.

For Ilkeston, Saturday's point took them into the top five.

Mark Bower's Guiseley side have now failed to win any of their last four in the league, and their latest slip-up allowed Ashton United to draw level with their opponents, thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Lancaster City.

First-half goals from Alex Byrne and Sam Baird had the Robins well on their way to all three points, and although Baird struck again - this time at the wrong end - to make it 2-1 midway through the second half, Ashton held on to record their fifth successive league win at Hurst Cross.

Photo credit: Rbiphotography

Elsewhere in the race for the play-offs, Worksop Town strengthened their grip on a top-five spot after leaving it late to win 3-2 at Hebburn Town.

The Tigers were pegged back from 2-0 up by a Hebburn side looking to put pressure on the top five, but Aleksandrs Starcenko's 90th winner - a fifth goal in three matches for the in-form Latvian midfielder - ensured it would be the visitors who returned to Nottinghamshire with all three points to their name.

Elsewhere, Stockton Town fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Mickleover, who moved to within seven points of safety.

Owen Gallacher’s first-half own-goal proved to be decisive at the Don Amott Arena as Mickleover secured their first league win since the start of January.

Photo credit: Harry Cook

To add insult to injury, Stockton dropped out of the play-off places as a result, and have also played a game more than Ilkeston - the side immediately above them.

Morpeth Town climbed to seventh after a 3-1 victory over Prescot Cables.

Top scorer Nic Bollado was one of three players on target for the Highwaymen as they made it back-to-back wins.

FC United of Manchester returned to the top half of the division after edging a five-goal thriller at home to Bamber Bridge.

The Reds' fine form under manager Mark Beesley continued at Broadhurst Park, with Adam Le Fondre scoring their third to take his tally for the season to 14 goals in all competitions.

FC United climbed above Lancaster and Hyde United, who were beaten 1-0 at Workington.

Connor Pani scored the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time as the Reds increased their cushion to the bottom four.

The most convincing winners of the afternoon were Gainsborough Trinity, who put five past struggling Blyth Spartans.

A first-half double from Fraser Preston set the Holy Blues on their way, with a 4-0 lead established by the half-hour mark.

Will Lancaster added further gloss to the scoreline in the 85th minute before JJ Hooper headed home a stoppage-time consolation for Spartans, who are now 17 points from safety and with just one win to their name since mid-September.

Further down the division, there were victories for Whitby Town and Basford United, who enjoyed respective 2-1 triumphs over Leek Town and Matlock Town.

Basford boosted their survival hopes after first-half goals from Theo Hudson and Revarnelle James saw them past the Gladiators.

For Whitby, a first win in four was enough to see them climb out of the bottom four as Michael Woods struck the winner seven minutes from time at Harrison Park.

Results - Saturday 15 February

• Ashton United 2-1 Lancaster City
• Basford United 2-1 Matlock Town
• FC United of Manchester 3-2 Bamber Bridge
• Gainsborough Trinity 5-1 Blyth Spartans
• Guiseley 1-1 Ilkeston Town
• Hebburn Town 2-3 Worksop Town
• Leek Town 1-2 Whitby Town
• Mickleover 1-0 Stockton Town
• Morpeth Town 3-1 Prescot Cables
• Warrington Rylands 1-3 Macclesfield
• Workington 1-0 Hyde United
   

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