Premier Round-up: Nantwich will be top at Christmas

With their three nearest challengers out of action, the Dabbers came from behind to win 2-1 away at Hyde United, who had recently turned over former leaders Scarborough Athletic.

They trailed to Grant Roberts’ 19th minute opener, but Sean Cooke’s penalty three minutes from time had them level at the break.

Cooke would be pivotal to the decisive goal too, his cross diverted in to his own net by Jordan Fagbola to ensure the Dabbers will be top of the pile at Christmas.

The only other side in the top five in action were Gainsborough Trinity, and they slipped up 2-1 at home to 10-man Buxton.

The visitors led through Callum Chippendale’s 20th minute striker, but they lost Brad Roscoe to a red card following an incident two minutes before the break.

Gainsborough failed to make their numerical advantage pay and Chippendale doubled the Bucks’ lead on 78 minutes from the penalty spot, and Jonathan Margetts consolation in the fifth minute of added on time was too little too late as Trinity lost for the first time in eight league games.

A third straight win for Buxton keeps them within sight of the play-offs, and two of their fellow play-off chasers won too.

South Shields left it late to win by the odd goal in five at home to Stalybridge Celtic.

Lee Mason had twice pulled them back level after Neil Kengni had twice given Celtic the lead in either half, and Joshua Gillies pinched it late on to move Shields within a point of fifth placed Gainsborough.

Matlock Town also came from behind to win 3-1 at Whitby Town, courtesy of a Marcus Marshall brace. Matthew Tymon had given the Blues the lead, while Marshall’s double sandwiched yet another goal for Luke Hinsley, who now has 11 for the season - and five since his recent arrival with the Gladiators.

Those results mean a five point cushion has opened up between the top nine and the rest, while six points separate second and ninth.

Marine’s winless run continued as they threw away a half-time advantage to lose 3-2 at home to Witton Albion.

Craig Carney got them off to a dream start with a goal inside two minutes, and despite Rob Hopley’s equaliser, Chris Doyle fired them in front by the break.

But two second half goals inside six minutes from Thomas Owens and Hopley stretched Witton’s unbeaten run to four.

Hednesford Town’s poor run of form continued as they were thumped 4-1 at Stafford Rangers.

Both sides had scored inside the first six minutes, Michael Howard cancelling out Jake Charles’ early opener, and Joe Cuff put Stafford 2-1 up by half-time.

Charles helped himself to two more after the break to earn the match ball and bring to an end Stafford’s run of six without a win.

Mickleover Sports find themselves hovering precariously close to the relegation zone after falling to a fourth defeat in five, losing 3-1 at home to Grantham Town, who made it two wins from their last five.

With a 4-1 win at Workington their only win in the past 10, the Gingerbreads left it late to snatch the points in this one after Pablo Mills had cancelled out Shaun Harrad’s first half opener.

Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson fired Grantham in front with 10 minutes to go and Ross Barrows sealed the points on 85 minutes.