The only goal of the game in front of 571 crowd came a minute before the break when Michael Richardson was hauled down by Robins` keeper Jamie Hannis. Skipper Robbie Dale converted the resulting penalty to score what proved to be the winner.
North-east rivals Darlington 1883 moved to within ten points of Spartans with four games in hand after a comfortable 3-0 Heritage Park win against mid-table Matlock Town in front of a crowd of 916.
Gary Brown scored the only goal of the first half in the 16th minute. Lee Gaskell scored a fine second just past the hour-mark and then Terry Galbraith added a third in stoppage time.
The game between second-placed Workington AFC and third-placed Salford City was postponed but a relegation `six-pointer` ended all-square at The Marine Travel Arena between fourth-bottom Marine AFC and third-bottom Colwyn Bay.
And it`s as you were after a 2-2 draw leaves both teams now two points behind fifth-bottom Whitby Town. Lewis Codling gave the Mariners a 33rd minute lead that Carl Lamb cancelled out just two minutes later. Jordan Harper then gave the visitors the lead immediately after the break, only for Andy Nicholas to earn the hosts a share of the spoils with 19 minutes left.
Frickley Athletic made it one defeat in eight games after a 5-1 hammering of fellow mid-table side Buxton at Westfield Lane.
Sam Akeroyd put the Blues ahead after just 23 seconds and Buxton were reduced to ten-men seven minutes later when Greg Young was sent-off for kicking out at Jacob Hazel. But Brad Barraclough equalised after 20 minutes for the visitors before James Walshaw put the hosts ahead with an excellent strike on 52 minutes.
Tom Davie extended the lead to 3-1 just eight minutes later before Luke Hinsley on 66 minutes and Walshaw again 10 minutes from time wrapped up the scoring. Home keeper Sebastian Malkowski also saved an 87th minute penalty after he had had brought down Alastair Taylor.
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/
Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.
Subscribe