NPL round-up | Saturday 16 March

A first half brace from Anthony Dudley, either side of Matt Sargent's 12th minute strike, proved enough for the Boro to move 12 points clear at the top of the division.

In the chasing pack, a 2-0 win for Warrington Rylands helped them climb to second in the table.

Both goals came in the second half, with Ben Hardcastle and Mo Touray on target for the Blues at home to Bamber Bridge.

Hyde United dropped a place after being held to a 1-1 draw at Ilkeston Town.

The Tigers were forced to come from behind to earn a point, with Jamie Walker's early opener for the hosts swiftly cancelled out by Jack Redshaw inside the opening quarter.

Marine strengthened their top-five hopes, meanwhile, after a 1-0 win at home to fellow play-off challengers Guiseley.

Bobby Grant scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time, finding the back of the net from near the halfway line with an audacious looping effort which beat visiting goalkeeper Ollie Battersby.

Guiseley remain in the top five, with Macclesfield missing the chance to climb above them after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Worksop Town.

Jay Rollins broke the deadlock 10 minutes after half-time, and the scoreline would remain that way as the Tigers bounced back quickly from a 2-0 defeat at Ashton United seven days earlier.

Ashton were again victorious by a two-goal margin, with a first half double from Jason Gilchrist helping them past Gainsborough Trinity.

The Robins have now won their last three games, all at home, by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0, leaving them just three points shy of the play-off spots.

Lancaster City's top-five hopes took a hit as they lost 2-0 at Morpeth Town, with goals from Jack Foalle and Andrew Johnson enough to see the Highwaymen move into the top half of the division.

In the day's other games, Whitby Town came from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Bradford Park Avenue.

That result was a blow for Avenue in their fight for survival, with the two teams above them both claiming maximum points.

A late comeback from FC United of Manchester saw them rally from a goal down to win 2-1 away at Atherton Collieries.

Aaron Bennett struck the all-important winner for FC United in the fifth minute of injury time, moving them 11 points clear of the drop zone.

There was more late drama in the fight for survival too, with Matt Thornhill's 96th minute winner for Basford United at home to Matlock Town enough to see them move two points clear of Bradford.

The two teams will meet at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday 6 April, in a game of monumental importance.

Results - Saturday 16 March

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

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