NPL round-up | Saturday 23 March

Jordan Hulme opened the scoring for the league leaders inside 30 seconds, but the Robins responded quickly through Alex Byrne - the first of two he would go on to score at the Neuven Stadium.

Kellen Adams, Nathan Lowe and James Hardy also added their name to the scoresheet in the second half as Ashton moved to within four points of a play-off berth ahead of their home game against Macclesfield on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, the much-anticipated clash between play-off challengers Hyde United and Warrington Rylands ended goalless, with the Blues maintaining their impressive unbeaten away record in the league this season.

Marine capitalised on that result, moving up to third after a 2-0 win at Lancaster City. The Mariners' goals came in the final quarter through Bobby Grant and Sol Solomon.

Macclesfield also moved back into the play-off places as a Tunde Owolabi hat-trick helped them past Morpeth Town at the Leasing.com Stadium.

They leapfrogged Guiseley, who dropped out of the top five after a 2-1 home defeat to Ilkeston Town.

Ilkeston strengthened their mid-table position after that result, with Tom Cursons scoring in either half for Ian Deakin's side.

In the chasing pack, Worksop Town picked up three points away at Bradford Park Avenue.

Josh Wilde scored twice for the Tigers in a 2-1 win, meaning they remain within touching distance of the teams above.

Elsewhere, Whitby Town were impressive 5-1 winners at Matlock Town - Max Howells scoring a hat-trick for them at the Proctor Cars Stadium - and an early double from Declan Howe paved the way for Gainsborough Trinity to overcome Workington 4-2.

Further down the division, Stafford Rangers gave their survival hopes a boost as they won 2-0 at last season's beaten play-off finalists Bamber Bridge.

Sean Cooke and Connor Heath were on target for Rangers at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium as they picked up just their second win since the turn of the year.

They now sit just three points adrift of Basford United, who were beaten 2-0 by FC United of Manchester.

Dontai Gabidon and Paul Ennis netted the Reds' two goals as they ended a run of three successive league defeats at Broadhurst Park.

Results - Saturday 23 March

Bamber Bridge 0-2 Stafford Rangers
Bradford Park Avenue 1-2 Worksop Town
FC United of Manchester 2-0 Basford United
Gainsborough Trinity 4-2 Workington
Guiseley 1-2 Ilkeston Town
Hyde United 0-0 Warrington Rylands
Lancaster City 0-2 Marine
Macclesfield 3-0 Morpeth Town
Matlock Town 1-5 Whitby Town
Radcliffe 2-5 Ashton United

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

Photo credit: Conor Molloy