NPL round-up | Hebburn go top, Hednesford strike late to beat FC United and Morpeth win boosts survival hopes

Gary Martin's goal shortly before the half-hour proved enough for the Hornets as they claimed all three points in their only game of the Easter weekend.

In one of the fixtures of the weekend at Broadhurst Park, Hednesford Town staged a late fightback to stun FC United of Manchester, in front of a crowd of more than 4,000.

Matty Grivosti had given FC United the lead, and potentially three points which would've given them the upper hand in the title race with so few games to go.

But Jake Jervis equalised for the Pitmen five minutes from time, before a stoppage-time penalty from Omari Sterling-James - who represented St Kitts and Nevis during the recent international window - sealed a crucial comeback victory for Hednesford.

It also means a perfect Easter weekend for Kelvin Davis' side, who defeated Prescot Cables 3-0 on Good Friday.

FC United dropped to third as a result of the defeat, but have played a game fewer than the two sides above them. Monday's results also mean that Hebburn and Hednesford have mathematically confirmed a minimum top-five finish. 

Elsewhere, Warrington Rylands took a big stride towards securing a top-five spot with three points away at neighbours Warrington Town.

The only goal of the game came shortly after half-time, a well-taken finish from Ben Hardcastle consigning the Yellows to a third defeat in four games.

Below the Blues, Gainsborough Trinity now lead the race for fifth after Sisa Tuntulwana's brace saw them past Guiseley.

Tuntulwana and George Goodman exchanged goal inside the opening 10 minutes, before the Gainsborough man fired into the bottom corner in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a first win in five games for the Holy Blues.

Lancaster City remain within touching distance of the top five, despite having to settle for a point at Bamber Bridge.

Nic Evangelinos' 13th goal of the season put the Dolly Blues ahead with just five minutes on the clock, but Nathaniel Knight-Percival equalised before half-time to earn the Brig a point, after a run of five defeats in their last six games.

Cleethorpes Town's fine debut season at Step 3 continued after a 1-1 draw at relegation-battling Workington, who moved beyond the 40-point mark for the season.

Josh Walker put Cleethorpes ahead with five minutes gone, but a red card for Ollie Battersby saw the Owls reduced to 10 men just before the half-hour.

In the end, Workington's man advantage told as Dan Hopper scored the leveller six minutes from time.

The Reds remain above the drop zone, but only by a point after Morpeth Town won 3-0 at home to Whitby Town.

Goals from Jeff Henderson and Nic Bollado put the Highwaymen two goals ahead by the break.

Then in the closing minutes, youngster Ryan Chater netted his first Morpeth goal to seal the points.

Also towards the foot of the table, a brace from Hayden Campbell proved enough for Leek Town to earn a 2-0 win at Stocksbridge Park Steels, mathematically confirming their Step 3 status for another season in the process.

For Stocksbridge, back-to-back defeats over the Easter weekend leave them five points from safety with three games to go.

Elsewhere on Monday, Hyde United picked up a crucial three points in their own battle to avoid the drop.

Ben Kershaw scored the only goal of their game in first-half stoppage time, earning the Tigers a 1-0 win against Greater Manchester rivals Ashton United.

Like Workington, Hyde end the weekend on 40 points and one ahead of Rushall Olympic, who were 2-0 winners at home to Ilkeston Town.

Rushall led through Liam McAlinden, prior to a scuffle leading to red cards for Max Ram and Ilkeston goalkeeper Alfie Roberts.

It took until the final minute of regular time for Anthony Dwyer to slot home the Pics' second, earning them a first win in nine games.

Results - Monday 6 April

• Bamber Bridge 1-1 Lancaster City
• FC United of Manchester 1-2 Hednesford Town
• Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 Guiseley
• Hebburn Town 1-0 Stockton Town
• Hyde United 1-0 Ashton United
• Morpeth Town 3-0 Whitby Town
• Rushall Olympic 2-0 Ilkeston Town
• Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-2 Leek Town
• Warrington Town 0-1 Warrington Rylands
• Workington 1-1 Cleethorpes Town

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