Monday's First Division North action review

New Mills, who still had seven games to pack in ahead of Monday night's home game against Salford City, moved into second place in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North table after a 2-1 victory at Church Lane, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

It was Salford, however, who started the brighter and would have taken the lead early on but for a spectacular goalline clearance from Chris Young following a Nathan McDonald effort. But the visitors suffered a major blow midway through the first half – and that after losing two players to injury – when the game was stopped due to a serious injury sustained to Salford player-manager Andy Heald.

Early diagnosis, sadly, was a snapped Achilles tendon. However, it was his side who still took the lead a minute before half-time through McDonald. New Mills had to wait until 20 minutes from time to eventually pull level through Chris Luby. He then grabbed an 89th minute winner which was cruel on Salford and especially so after Heald's blow.