NPL round-up | Saturday 16 December

The Boro came into the game knowing a win would see them move nine points clear at the summit, but a first half double from Blues forward Adama Sidibeh saw them take control.

Jamie Morgan and Ben Hardcastle exchanged goals as the game progressed, and not even a long-range stoppage-time finish from Radcliffe's Josh Hancock could deny Michael Clegg's Rylands as they hung on for all three points at the Neuven Stadium.

Below them, Ashton United were forced to rescue a point in stoppage time at home to Workington.

Trailing 2-1 at the death, Sean Newton's 92nd minute header saw the Robins take a share of the spoils. They have now scored and conceded in each of their last nine league games.

It was a far more comfortable affair for 4th-placed Worksop Town, who swept aside FC United of Manchester 4-0.

Jordan Burrow scored twice on debut for the Tigers, with Jay Rollins and Vaughan Redford also adding their names to the scoresheet. In a high-scoring afternoon's football on Saturday, FC United were the only team in the Northern Premier League who failed to find the back of the net.

Elsewhere, a Sol Solomon double helped Marine to a 3-1 victory at home to Gainsborough Trinity.

The win saw them climb into the play-off spots and leapfrog Hyde United, who were pegged back twice by Guiseley in an entertaining draw at Nethermoor.

Macclesfield fell to a surprise 4-3 defeat at home to Bradford Park Avenue, who climbed out of the relegation zone.

The two sides exchanged six goals in the first half before Jordan Preston's goal shortly before the hour mark proved decisive for the visitors as they claimed a major scalp on the road.

At the New Manor Ground, two goals from Jamie Walker helped Ilkeston Town past Marske United with a 3-1 win. Walker has now scored 15 goals this season - a tally bettered only by Jonathon Margetts (23) in the Northern Premier League.

The day's other games were all packed full of goals, with Bamber Bridge coming from behind to beat Matlock Town 2-1 and Lancaster City winning 4-2 on the road at Dave Cooke's new-look Stafford Rangers.

Whitby Town enjoyed three goals and three points on the road at Atherton Collieries as they held on to win a five-goal thriller, while a see-saw affair between Morpeth Town and Basford United ended in a 2-2 draw at Craik Park.

Results - Saturday 16 December

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

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

Photo credit: Warrington Rylands