Step 4 round-up | Saturday 18 November

The lead changed hands at the top of the NPL East Division as Stockton Town rose to the summit with a 7-1 thrashing of third-placed Belper Town.

Kevin Hayes bagged a hat-trick for the Anchors, taking his personal tally to seven goals in his last five matches. Michael Fowler, Michael Roberts (2) and Stephen Thompson also got on the scoresheet before Adam Bessadi grabbed a consolation for the Nailers 19 minutes from time.

Braces for Wilson Kneeshaw and Connor Thomson helped Ashington to a surprise 5-0 win at North Ferriby, while there were also comfortable 3-0 victories for Bridlington Town and Carlton Town, at home to fourth-placed Consett and Brighouse Town respectively.

The only other game which survived the elements in the NPL East Division was at Grantham Town, where first-half goals from Samuel Aynsley and Henry Moore saw Winterton Rangers pick up a 2-1 win on their travels.

There were plenty of high-scoring affairs in the NPL Midlands Division meanwhile.

With leaders Harborough Town in FA Trophy action, Spalding United climbed to second after leaving it late to beat Coleshill Town 3-2.

Riley O'Sullivan struck the decisive winner for the Tulips, who had led 2-0 before the half-hour mark after Tyler Winters bagged himself a double.

There were also bigs wins on their travels for Corby Town and Boldmere St Michaels, while fourth-placed Anstey Nomads were beaten 4-2 away at Sutton Coldfield Town.

In the NPL West Division, Prescot Cables moved two points clear at the top after sweeping aside Trafford 5-1.

James Foley scored twice for the Pesky Bulls as they recorded their joint-biggest win of the season to date.

There was late drama between Kidsgrove Athletic and Stalybridge Celtic, with the visitors netting a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw - despite playing the entirety of the second half with 10 men after Aaron Dwyer's 41st minute sending-off.

Runcorn Linnets kept pace at the top as Will Saxon scored the only goal in their 1-0 win at home to 1874 Northwich.

Meanwhile, the battle between play-off hopefuls Clitheroe and Leek Town at Shawbridge ended in a 4-1 win for the visitors.

Saturday's result was a perfect response for the Blues following their 5-0 defeat at Runcorn Linnets the previous Tuesday.

Results - NPL East Division

Bridlington Town 3-0 Consett
Carlton Town 3-0 Brighouse Town
Cleethorpes Town P-P Ossett United
Dunston P-P Stocksbridge Park Steels
Grantham Town 1-2 Winterton Rangers
Hebburn Town P-P Sheffield
Liversedge P-P Grimsby Borough
North Ferriby 0-5 Ashington
Pontefract Collieries P-P Newton Aycliffe
Stockton Town 7-1 Belper Town

Results - NPL Midlands Division

Cambridge City 2-4 Lye Town
Coleshill Town 2-3 Spalding United
Coventry Sphinx 1-1 Hinckley LR
Gresley Rovers 1-6 Corby Town
Quorn 3-0 Bedworth United
Rugby Town 1-5 Boldmere St Michaels
Sporting Khalsa 2-0 Shepshed Dynamo
Sutton Coldfield Town 4-2 Anstey Nomads

Results - NPL West Division

Avro 0-0 Mossley
Bootle 1-3 Hednesford Town
Chasetown 1-1 Newcastle Town
Clitheroe 1-4 Leek Town
Kidsgrove Athletic 2-2 Stalybridge Celtic
Prescot Cables 5-1 Trafford
Runcorn Linnets 1-0 1874 Northwich
Vauxhall Motors P-P Hanley Town