East Round-up: Play-off chasers lose ground

Defeats for Tadcaster Albion and Cleethorpes Town at the weekend means that fifth place Sheffield have a six point gap between them and the chasers, with just six games left to play.

It was a real blow for Tadcaster, who lost 2-1 away at one of those teams above them, Ossett United.

Tom Greaves’ penalty on the hour gave Ossett the lead, and they doubled their advantage through Chris Chantler before Jason Mycoe set up a frantic final 12 minutes.

Cleethorpes went down 1-0 at home to Belper Town, who have disappeared from the play-off picture but won this one through Alex Peterson.

Those results meant that Sheffield’s 3-0 win at basement boys Gresley increases their grip on a play-off place, with their goals coming from John Pugh, Marc Newsham, and Luke Rawson.

The other two teams in the play-off places met in Pontefract, as Collieries beat Brighouse Town 2-1.

Gavin Rothery and Jake Picton struck either side of Gabriel Johnson’s goal as Brighouse slipped to fourth. They have been in the play-off places for all but four weeks of the season so far.

Leaders Morpeth Town moved a step closer to securing the title as they beat Stamford 1-0, Ben Sayer’s second half goal enough to maintain their 10 point lead at the top.

Carlton Town remain in the bottom two after they were walloped 6-0 at Frickley Athletic, with Jacob Hazel scoring a hat-trick that boosts his golden boot hopes.

That meant Spalding United edged a point clear of the drop zone with a 1-1 draw at Pickering Town, though it could have been an even better afternoon had Ryan Blott not scored an equaliser for the hosts in injury time after Leon Mettam’s opener.

Former basement dwellers Stocksbridge Park Steels are all but safe after a 2-1 win at AFC Mansfield, while Wisbech Town are still very much in the mix after losing 2-1 at Marske United.

Neither Loughborough Dynamo or Lincoln United have much to play for, though it was Dynamo who had the happier weekend, winning 5-1 thanks to a Ryan Robbins brace after Jack Wightwick had given Lincoln a first half lead.

To view all the results from the weekend’s games, visit the EVO-STIK League results page, and check the latest league tables here.