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NPL round-up | Five-star Hyde thrash Hednesford, Hebburn and FC United share spoils and Gainsborough fightback denies Workington back-to-back wins

It was a Valentine's Day full of excitement, goals and shock results in the NPL Premier Division.

The result of the day came at the Project Solar Stadium, where Hyde United ended their 14-game winless run in some style, putting five past title-chasing Hednesford Town without reply.

The result marked a disastrous debut in the dugout for new Pitmen boss Kelvin Davis, who replaced Gavin Hurren earlier in the week.

Tunde Olowabi’s brace inside the first 20 minutes set the tone, and goals in the second half from Damon Park, Jack Redshaw and Dontai Gabidon rounded off an incredible afternoon for Michael Clegg’s side.

After three straight draws, Hyde now have their first win under Clegg, while a three-game run of draws also ended for Hednesford, but in less-than-ideal circumstances.

That result allowed Hebburn Town to open up a one-point gap atop the table, while also keeping FC United of Manchester at bay after the two sides drew 1-1.

Jay Fitzmartin’s opener was cancelled out minutes into the second half by Hebburn’s Liam Murray, with the point meaning that Mark Beesley’s side remain three points off the top.

It’s three straight draws now for Hebburn, but given that they’ve all come against the three sides directly below them in a seven-day period, Daniel Moore will be content with the results.

Elsewhere, Warrington Rylands leapfrogged Stockton Town back into the top four with a resounding 4-0 win away at Morpeth Town.

All the damage was done in the first half as Rylands ran riot, racing into an unassailable lead before the break thanks to goals from Jake Burton, Harrison Wood and George Waring (2).

Photo credit: Warrington Rylands

Given Hyde’s big win against Hednesford, Craig Lynch’s side are now four points from safety, albeit with a game in hand, but have now lost five of their last six.

It was a great week for Rylands, who pulled away from the sides with games in hand below them, increasing their grip on a place in the top five.

Bamber Bridge can no longer catch Neil Reynolds’ side by winning their game in hand, as their trip to Rushall Olympic ended goalless.

Gainsborough Trinity are now six points behind Rylands, but with three games in hand, and they’ll be happy it isn’t seven after they went 3-0 down at home to basement club Workington just after the hour mark.

Nevertheless, a spirited fightback from Russ Wilcox’s side saw a brace from Frank Mulhern follow a Lewis Butroid effort to draw Gainsborough level, with the spoils being shared in a six-goal thriller come the final whistle.

Saturday’s result means a fifth draw in seven for Workington, who lost ground on safety following Hyde’s win. Billy Barr’s Reds are now nine points adrift from safety.

Elsewhere, Leek Town were unable to make it three wins in a row as Lancaster City kept their play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 win at the Giant Axe.

Photo credit: Michael Porter

All the goals came in the first half, and Charlie Bailey and Nic Evangelinos were on target for the Dolly Blues to pull them back to within four points of a play-off place.

As for Ilkeston Town, they avoided losing for the third time in a row as they narrowly beat Guiseley 1-0.

Harvey Kirby-Moore nodded in the only goal of the game in the first half, helping the Robins leapfrog their opponents into 11th.

And, in a manic final 15 minutes at the Cal.Delivery Stadium, Warrington Town snatched a point away from Stocksbridge Park Steels at the death, after Tomas Poole had given the away side the lead late on.

Photo credit: Colin Keown

Stocksbridge are now five away games unbeaten but lost ground in the fight for survival, now falling five points adrift of safety.

Meanwhile, the late leveller ended a three-game losing run for Paul Carden’s Yellows, who are now eight points adrift of the top five.

Saturday’s other two scheduled games - Cleethorpes Town’s trip to Prescot Cables and Whitby Town against Ashton United - were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Results - Saturday 14 February