NPL round-up | Redcar move clear, Whitby resurgence continues and duo end long winless run

At the very top, Redcar Athletic moved four points clear of the rest with a 2-1 win at Ashton United.

Brad Fewster broke the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes, with Adam Boyes' 13th goal of the season doubling their advantage shortly before half-time.

The hosts, who are now nine league games without a win, managed to pull one back 11 minutes from time through Pierre Nelson's header, but they couldn't do enough to force an equaliser.

Avro fell to defeat in their first game under the newly-appointed Lewis Hardcastle, losing 2-0 at Ilkeston Town.

After a goalless first half, the Robins' top scorer, Anthony Dwyer, put his side ahead shortly before the hour.

Less than 10 minutes later, Luke Cox's half-volley made it 2-0 to earn Ilkeston a long-awaited win after eight defeats in a row in the league.

Avro remain in the play-off spots but have fallen to fifth as a result of Saturday's defeat.

That is because Gainsborough Trinity scored four without reply at home to Hyde United, earning a fourth straight league win in the process.

Jordan Helliwell curled the Holy Blues in front inside 90 seconds, before goals either side of the hour from Fraser Preston and Ronnie Kokkinos gave Russ Wilcox's side an unassailable lead.

There was time for a fourth in second-half stoppage time too, Connor Brown getting himself on the scoresheet to complete the rout.

Making their way into the play-off positions after Saturday's results are Workington and Warrington Town.

The former climbed to sixth after defeating Bamber Bridge 2-1 at Irongate.

Second-half goals from Luke Hunter and Steven Rigg put Billy Barr's side in pole position as they looked to claim a first league win in five.

And although Nathaniel Knight-Percival pulled one back late on for the Brig, it wasn't enough to prevent them from falling to a defeat which leaves then four points from safety.

A point was also enough to take Warrington Town into the top seven, with the Yellows coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Alfreton Town.

Substitute Rio Hawkins' smart near-post finish inside the final 10 minutes cancelled out Dylan Youmbi's opener shortly before the hour mark, continuing a fine run of away league form which has seen Paul Carden's side claim 16 points from a possible 21 on the road.

Meanwhile, a point for Alfreton means they remain in the top half.

Elsewhere, Whitby Town's resurgence under Graeme Lee continued as they defeated Curzon Ashton 1-0.

Callum Hickman's long-range finish shortly before half-time was all that separated the sides on the Yorkshire Coast.

Whitby have now picked up two wins and a draw in Lee's first three games at the helm. They have also kept two clean sheets during that time, after earning just one shutout this season prior to his appointment.

In the battle towards the bottom, a first away league win of the season was enough to take Emley out of the bottom four at Stockton Town's expense.

The Pewits clinched a first league win in two months, with three goals in 15 first-half minutes doing the damage.

Stockton pulled one back 11 minutes from time through Callum Young, but a second yellow card for Josh Scott soon after extinguished any hopes of a late Anchors fightback.

Finally, a first away league win of the season saw Leek Town climb to 15th in the table.

The Blues overcame Lancaster City 2-1 at The Giant Axe, thanks to first-half goals from Jack Griffiths and Connor Heath.

Despite Saturday's setback, Lancaster remain in the top half of the division.

Results - Saturday 17 October

• Alfreton Town 1-1 Warrington Town
• Ashton United 1-2 Redcar Athletic
• Bamber Bridge 1-2 Workington
• Gainsborough Trinity 4-0 Hyde United
• Ilkeston Town 2-0 Avro
• Lancaster City 1-2 Leek Town
• Stockton Town 1-3 Emley
• Whitby Town 1-0 Curzon Ashton

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