NPL round-up | Tuesday 24 October

Stafford took the lead three minutes into the game through Ethan Stewart, but the hosts would hit back just a minute later through Luca Navarro, before wrapping up proceedings prior to the end of the first half with goals from Jude Oyibo and Olly Thornley.

Warrington Rylands conceded ground in their bid to chase down the league leaders after they were pegged back with a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw away at Bamber Bridge.

The Blues had already been pegged back in the first half when Harry Benns cancelled out Adama Sidibeh’s opener before Mo Touray fired them back in front just in advance of the half-time whistle.

However, it would be heartbreak for Rylands who saw two points slip from their grasp in injury time when Clive Smith put the ball in the back of his own net following a mix-up in defence.

Meanwhile, Ashton United fought back twice to earn a point on the road at Gainsborough Trinity.

Goals from Mitchell Rose and Jason Gilchrist cancelled out Bobby Johnson’s and Declan Howe’s finishes to ensure that the Robins stay in third place in the table.

Macclesfield suffered their third defeat in five league games after being hit by two late goals at home to Workington Town.

Alex Curran fired the hosts into the lead after 36 minutes, but George Taft was on hand to level the proceedings in the 70th minute, before the Tigers pounced once again six minutes before full-time when Jay Rollins hooked it past O’Keefe to earn a precious three points.

Marine hit a stumbling block in their bid to keep pace with the leading pack as they fell to a 4-2 defeat away at Guiseley, with a hattrick from Gabriel Johnson and a strike from Tom Pratt moving the Lions within the top half of the table.

Hyde United continue to threaten to push into the play-off places after beating Ilkeston Town 2-0 on home soil, thanks to second-half goals from Lewis Alessandra and Jack Redshaw.

Jonathon Margetts was on target twice for Matlock Town who claimed a 2-0 victory over Basford United, taking his goalscoring tally to 19 for the season.

There was a five-goal thriller at the Giant Axe as Lancaster City picked up a much-needed three points over Morpeth Town with a 3-2 win.

Dominic Lawson picked up a brace for the Dolly Blues while Andrew Johnson answered it with two goals of his own for the Highwaymen, but it was David Norris’ finish 10 minutes from time that was the difference between the two sides.

Further down the division, Marske United picked up their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win at home to Workington AFC.

Goals from Camron Gbadebo, Curtis Round and Adam Boyes see them move out of the relegation zone for the first time since this season.

Atherton Collieries took a big step forward in their fight for survival as they moved off of the bottom of the table with a crucial 2-0 win over FC United of Manchester at Broadhurst Park thanks to goals from Joe Adams and Lewis Mansell.

Results - Tuesday 24 October

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

Photo credit: Lewis Pickersgill/Worksop Town