Premier round-up: Late drama in top division

At the top of the table, South Shields found themselves 1-0 down at home to Scarborough Athletic thanks to a Michael Coulson goal in the 12th minute, but a strong second half saw the Mariners fight back for a 2-1 victory with a brace from Jason Gilchrist, including an extra-time penalty to claim all three league points to the delight of almost 2,000 fans.

“You can score goals at any minute during a game, but there’s nothing better than a last minute winner, especially when we’ve been on top for that long,” GIlchrist said, speaking to MarinersTV.

“The feeling is hard to describe. It’s brilliant and it was good to celebrate with the fans and the lads.

“Half time, we identified that the first 20 minutes or so wasn’t good enough. We were a little bit slow in possession and needed to move a little bit quicker and maybe take one touch instead of two.

“I think we created some really good chances in the second half and got what we deserved.”

Elsewhere, there were two goals in injury time at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium which saw Bamber Bridge come back for a 3-3 draw against Warrington Town.

The Yellows saw themselves with what should have been a comfortable 2-0 advantage with goals from Jack Dunn and Jack Mackreth, before Scott Brown fouled Sheldon Green in the box, and Blackpool loanee Rowan Roche converted.

Chris Marlow was then shown a red for the home side in the second half, but that didn’t stop the Brig as they equalised through Kieran Charnock in the 82nd minute.

The late drama continued, as Tony Gray looked to clinch victory for the away side with a 90th minute goal, before Richard Allen scored with the last touch of the game for a 3-3 result and a share of the spoils.

Atherton Collieries started their year with a home win over Lancaster City, with a 2-1 scoreline and goals from Gareth Peet and Thomas Bentham. The Colls sit 18th in the table, while Lancaster remain second.

FC United of Manchester continue their fine form and it was another injury time winner from Tunde Owolabi, claiming a 3-2 victory over Radcliffe and remaining third in the league. Owolabi scored a brace, while teammate Michael Potts scored the first for the home side in front of a crowd of over 2,000.

There were two 0-0 results in the league, with Basford United clash against Grantham Town and Stalybridge Celtic’s home fixture with Ashton United, while Morpeth’s fixture against Whitby Town was postponed.

Hyde United bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat as they claimed a 2-1 victory over Buxton with goals from Jordan Fagbola and Connor Hughes,

Curtis Woodhouse’s Gainsborough Trinity recorded their second consecutive victory, goals from Gregory Smith and Mitchell Dunne to claim a 2-1 victory over Matlock Town.

Elsewhere, Webb Patrick was the only scorer in Mickleover Sports’ victory over Stafford, and Nantwich Town claimed a 2-1 victory over Witton Albion.

Photo credit: John Hopkins