Premier Division round-up: High-flyers falter as Lancaster City hit form

A top-two showdown attracted more than 3,200 fans to the 1st Cloud Arena, but the game failed to provide goals as both teams cancelled each other out.

That result allowed Bamber Bridge to leapfrog Radcliffe, courtesy of a 1-0 win on the road at Nantwich Town.

Fin Sinclair-Smith scored a stunning winner nine minutes before half-time as the Brig won their third straight league match.

Elsewhere in the fight for the play-offs, Gainsborough Trinity were forced to come from behind to rescue a late 1-1 draw at Atherton Collieries.

Luca Defreitas-Hansen had given Colls the lead eight minutes from the end, but Bailey Conway equalised for the Holy Blues with two minutes of regular time remaining.

Another of the sides fighting for promotion, Hyde United, fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat at in-form Lancaster City.

The Dolly Blues strengthened their top half position as goals from Samuel Bailey and Jake Connelly proved enough for a six win in a row at home.

Hyde remain in the top five on goal difference alone, as Warrington Town joined them on 61 thanks to a come-from-behind 3-1 win at home to Liversedge.

The Yellows, who trailed to a Tom Hannigan own-goal midway through the first half, struck back from the penalty spot through Bohan Dixon, before Josh Amis and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts completed a late turnaround and stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.

Meanwhile, Marine remain just three points outside the play-off places after an impressive 3-0 victory at Whitby Town.

First half goals from Joseph Hardy and Ben Hodkinson set Neil Young’s side on their way, with Jordan Lussey adding further gloss to the scoreline with a penalty late in the second half.

In the day’s other action, FC United of Manchester scored a quickfire second half double to defeat Marske United 2-1 at Broadhurst Park, and Belper Town boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at top-half Guiseley.

Ashton United were also impressive 4-1 winners on the road at Stalybridge Celtic, while Stafford Rangers and Morpeth Town played out a goalless draw.

Results - Saturday 25 March

Atherton Collieries 1-1 Gainsborough Trinity
FC United of Manchester 2-1 Marske United
Guiseley 0-1 Belper Town
Lancaster City 2-1 Hyde United
Nantwich Town 0-1 Bamber Bridge
South Shields 0-0 Radcliffe
Stafford Rangers 0-0 Morpeth Town
Stalybridge Celtic 1-4 Ashton United
Warrington Town 3-1 Liversedge
Whitby Town 0-3 Marine

Photo credit: Darren Murphy