Stockton back in top five, Rylands bounce back and important point for Matlock | NPL round-up | Tuesday 18 February
There were some crucial results at both ends of the Northern Premier League table on Tuesday night, with plenty of excitement across the five games played.
Ashton United climbed up to second, despite being forced to settle for a point away at Matlock Town.
James Hardy's early opener and Darius Osei's goal just after the hour mark had the Robins in a strong position at the Proctor Cars Stadium, but the home side responded with two goals in eight second-half minutes to earn themselves a share of the spoils.
The Gladiators moved further clear of the drop zone and are now two points ahead of fourth-bottom Bamber Bridge, having both played 31 games.
The Brig missed the opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Prescot Cables.
The only goal came eight minutes after half-time, Jack Goodwin firing Cables to all three points for the fourth time in five matches at Hope Street - all of those victories accompanied by a clean sheet.
The three points also helped Cables move five points clear of the bottom four.
In another telling result at the bottom of the table, Whitby Town came from behind to earn a point at home to Hebburn Town.
And Warrington Rylands bounced back from successive losses as a Jake Daniels double helped them to all three points against Leek Town.
The final game of the midweek action was a crucial one in the race for the top five, with two first-half goals helping Stockton Town past Ilkeston Town at the New Manor Ground.
Like Rylands, Stockton put an end to a run of back-to-back defeats in the best possible way, Kevin Hayes' penalty and a second from Arjun Purewal enough to see them past Ilkeston, who pulled one back midway through the second half.
Tuesday's result was also enough to see Stockton leapfrog the Robins and move into the play-offs as a result.
Results - Tuesday 18 February
- Ilkeston Town 1-2 Stockton Town
- Matlock Town 2-2 Ashton United
- Prescot Cables 1-0 Bamber Bridge
- Warrington Rylands 2-0 Leek Town
- Whitby Town 1-1 Hebburn Town
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