Northern Premier League: Premier Division Round-up

Going into this fixture, the Bucks had not recorded a win in six consecutive games, and with the chasing pack of play-off hopefuls, the pressure was on to earn three points.

A solid second half display from Buxton saw them take all three points, thanks to Jason Gilchrist who opened the scoring three minutes after the break, touching home a low cross from Mackenzie Heaney - earning him his first goal in a Bucks shirt.

Buxton doubled their lead just four minutes later when Warren Clarke finished off a neat passing move.

However, Hyde United remained an ever-present threat throughout the game, and managed to cut the deficit in half in the 76th minute thanks to Jonah Mitchell.

The game would end rather unceremoniously, with Hyde’s Krisel Prifti being shown a straight red card and Buxton’s Tom Elliot receiving his second yellow of the game, both being sent-off on the 90th minute mark.

Speaking on Buxton’s website following his side’s victory, manager Steve Cunningham said: "Fans have seen high standards of football for the last few games, without getting rewards.

“It's not been easy, but today it all came together.

“There was outstanding work rate all around, with Jason Gilchrist getting the benefit of his non-stop effort with an opening goal, the first of many from him, we can expect.”

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic dented Bamber Bridge’s title hopes as they travelled back to East Manchester with all three points.

An 11th minute goal from Ntumba Massanka and a Callum Harris penalty 12 minutes from time meant that the Brig have only won one of their last five outings in the league.

The battle for a spot in the play-offs between sixth and seventh ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with the points being shared as Whitby pegged back Warrington Town.

Play-off chasing FC United of Manchester have closed the gap to Scarborough in fifth following a late double which saw them come from behind at Grantham Town, denting the Gingerbreads hopes of securing three points for only the fifth time this season.

Scarborough meanwhile, were held to a 2-2 draw away at Witton - a brace from Callum Saunders means that his goal tally moves up to 15, which could prove to be a vital point for Albion, who now sit four points from safety.

Towards the middle of the table, a late brace from Callum Morris saw Morpeth come away from Basford with a 2-1 victory.

Lancaster also came from behind at home against Radcliffe thanks to two goals in three minutes from Niall Cowperthwaite and Andrew Teague.

Stafford Rangers have had their hopes of reaching a play-off spot diminished as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Gainsborough.

After going 2-0 down at home against Ashton United, Nantwich Town rescued a point thanks to two late goals from Shaun Miller and Sean Cooke, leaving the Dabbers teetering on the edge of relegation with 24 points, with just a better goal difference separating them from Witton Albion in 19th place.