Premier Division round-up: South Shields held as Hyde and Marine impress

The Mariners were forced to rescue a point late on, with Lewis Alessandra sweeping home with five minutes of normal time remaining to extend Shields’ unbeaten run to seven matches.

Their slip-up allowed Hyde United to close the gap at the top thanks to an impressive 4-2 victory at home to struggling Liversedge.

Tom Pratt, Matthew Fearnley and Liam Tongue gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead, and although Sedge scored twice in response, Will Russ wrapped up the points in the 82nd minute.

Radcliffe moved to third as two late goals saw them past fellow promotion hopefuls Bamber Bridge.

Despite Brig defender Nathan Pond being sent off after just 15 minutes, it took until the final quarter minutes for the hosts to secure the win, with their goals coming courtesy of Ewan Bange and Jake Thompson.

Elsewhere, in-form Warrington Town and Guiseley played out a goalless draw at Cantilever Park, while Marine climbed back into the play-off places after a 4-2 win at home to Morpeth Town.

A see-saw opening nine minutes saw the hosts take the lead before the Highwaymen scored twice in response through Ryan Donaldson and Andrew Johnson.

However, there would be no denying the Mariners a third straight win as Jordan Lussey levelled from the penalty spot before half-time and the debuting Louis Britton and Sol Solomon completed the turnaround in the second half.

At the Northolme, Gainsborough Trinity were denied all three points as struggling Belper Town snatched a 2-2 draw to move off the foot of the Northern Premier League table.

A Clayton Donaldson double looked to be enough for the Holy Blues, but Jerome Greaves poked home in second half stoppage time to ensure the Nailers left Lincolnshire with a point.

In the day’s other action, FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic played out a 1-1 draw, while Warrington Rylands were beaten late on as Whitby Town’s Harrison Beeden scored a 90th-minute winner on the Yorkshire Coast.

Stafford Rangers helped ease their indifferent form with a 2-1 victory over Lancaster City, and Atherton Collieries scored in either half to overcome struggling Marske United, who have now failed to win any of their last seven in the league.

Results - Saturday 18 February

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

Photo credit: Kev Wilson