East Round-up: Morpeth open up lead again

They beat one of their closest challengers, Tadcaster Albion, 1-0 on New Year’s Day as the chasing pack all stumbled to start 2019.

Jeff Henderson’s goal was enough to earn them the three points, and having taken care of their own business, they will have been pleased when results reached them from elsewhere.

There was a shock defeat for Brighouse Town, who had been 10 games unbeaten and moved within three points of Morpeth, as they were hammered 4-0 at Ossett United.

Inconsistent Ossett brought in the New Year in some style, scoring four goals in 14 minutes around half-time.

Adam Priestley and Tom Greaves put them two ahead, before James Knowles scored right on half-time and Shiraz Khan scored right after the break.

Third place Pontefract Collieries needed an injury-time leveller from Gavin Rothery to earn a point in a 1-1 draw at Stamford.

After Tadcaster, Sheffield round off the play-off places after leaving it late to beat Stocksbridge Park Steels 2-1.

Steels, who slip to the foot of the table, led through Alex Wiles on the half hour mark, but Marc Newsham levelled on 83 minutes and then struck a winner in injury time.

AFC Mansfield are off the bottom of the table after adding to Lincoln United’s misery with a 3-1 win at Ashby Avenue.

Joe Iaciofano scored a first half hat-trick for Mansfield to lift them up to 18th, after Andrew Hutchinson had given Lincoln a third minute lead.

The New Year could hardly have got off to a worse start for Gresley, who were hammered 5-1 at Belper Town, a result that saw Gary Norton tender his resignation straight after.

Pitou Crouz scored a hat-trick, including a penalty two minutes in to the second half, as Belper led 4-0 at the break and eventually see out a comfortable win to put them right on the edge of the play-off places.

Loughborough Dynamo have the play-off places in their sights too, but only after they fought from two goals down to win 3-2 at Carlton Town.

Aaron Opoku gave Carlton a dream start to 2019 with a goal after just eight minutes, and they looked good for a positive afternoon when Oliver Clark made it two just six minutes later.

But Luke Thorogood got one back before half time and equalised on the hour, before Ryan Robbins’ penalty earned Dynamo the full three points.

Elsewhere, Ryan Blott’s early penalty was enough for Pickering Town to beat Marske United 1-0 and a Conor Marshall own goal helped Wisbech Town win 2-1 at Spalding United.