Nantwich take relegation battle to the final day

The Dabbers twice took the lead, through Perry Bircumshaw and Sean Cooke, only to be pegged back on each occasion by Andrew May.

May’s second equaliser, nine minutes from time, earned the Seasiders the point they needed to secure their survival in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Nantwich will now need to beat Radcliffe on Saturday, and hope that Atherton Collieries lose away at already relegated Stalybridge Celtic.

Liversedge and Belper Town have already been confirmed as relegated, making immediate returns to Step 4 following promotion last term.


At the other end of the table, Hyde, Radcliffe and Matlock Town are fighting for the final play-off spot. A win for Hyde away at Warrington Town will ensure their top five spot, but if they slip up then either Radcliffe or Matlock could leapfrog them.

Warrington Town and Bamber Bridge are still fighting over the all-important second place. The play-off final on May 1 will be hosted by the highest placed team involved.

Elsewhere on Thursday night, in the NPL East Division, Carlton Town battled to a 2-2 draw at Pontefract Collieries.

The initial game was abandoned on Tuesday night due to a player welfare issue, with Colls leading 1-0.

In the replayed fixture, Carlton took an early lead through Niall Hylton, but Colls turned it around through Adam Priestley and Jack Greenhough.

Kieran Watson’s equaliser five minutes from time earned Carlton a point, which keeps them within a win of 16th placed Grantham Town and avoiding the relegation play-offs. A win for Carlton would have relegated Shildon, but they live to fight another day.