NPL round-up | Saturday 13 January

With a record of three draws and a defeat since December 23 heading into Saturday's clash with the play-off-chasing Seasiders, the Blues needed to be at their best to pick up maximum points at the Hive Arena.

Mo Touray scored the only goal of the game four minutes before half-time, finishing off a flowing team move for a Blues side that did enough even without top scorer Adamah Sidibeh - who was absent from their matchday squad due to illness, amidst ongoing speculation surrounding a potential January move to a team higher up the football pyramid.

The Seasiders failed to put pressure on the sides above, with their best chance seeing Jacob Grattan denied from the penalty spot by Luke Pilling in the second half.

Elsewhere, there were wins and clear sheets for Hyde United and Guiseley as both climbed two places in the league table.

Two goals in either half helped Hyde inflict back-to-back defeats on Lancaster City with a 4-0 triumph at the Giant Axe, while Reece Kendall and Aiden Walker were on target for the Lions as they ran out 2-0 winners at home to Bamber Bridge.

There would be no such joy for Worksop Town, who lost ground in the promotion fight after suffering a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Ilkeston Town.

Despite taking the lead 11 minutes in through Jordan Burrows, goals from L'Varn Brandy and Jamie Walker turned the game on its head as Ilkeston climbed up to 12th.

A crowd of almost 1,300 saw Marine recover from their league defeat to Hyde seven days ago by sweeping aside Stafford Rangers 4-0.

New recruit Bobby Grant was on target with a goal on debut as the Mariners rose to seventh in the table.

In the days other action, Northern Premier League top scorer Jonathon Margetts' 21st and 22nd goal of the season helped Matlock Town come from behind to win 3-1 at Atherton Collieries.

Colls have amassed just two wins from their 12 league games since the start of November and are seven points from safety.

Six goals were shared at the Horsfall Community Stadium as FC United of Manchester overcome a battling Bradford Park Avenue 4-2.

Former Warrington Town duo Jordan Buckley and Aaron Bennett were on target for the Reds, as was debutant Trevon Bryan - who rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time.

Finally, second half goals from Sam Hodgson and Jack Foalle were enough for Morpeth Town on the road at Gainsborough Trinity, with a 2-0 win seeing them climb back into the top half.

Saturday's result also denied the Holy Blues a third successive victory in the league, having previously overcome higher-placed opposition in Worksop Town and Guiseley since the turn of the year.

There was a shortened round of fixtures this weekend, due to the involvement of several teams in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

Results - Saturday 13 January

Atherton Collieries 1-3 Matlock Town
Bradford Park Avenue 2-4 FC United of Manchester
Gainsborough Trinity 0-2 Morpeth Town
Guiseley 2-0 Bamber Bridge
Lancaster City 0-4 Hyde United
Marine 4-0 Stafford Rangers
Warrington Rylands 1-0 Whitby Town
Worksop Town 1-2 Ilkeston Town

Click here for the latest results from the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.

Photo credit: Warrington Rylands