Premier Round-up: South Shields hit the front

Dillon Morse scored in the second minute of injury time as they beat title rivals Farsley Celtic 1-0, to preserve their 100% home record which now stands at 12 games.

That win puts them three points clear at the top, with Nantwich Town once again out of action, this week due to a postponement of their game at Buxton.

Warrington Town scored late, but missed out on the chance to jump up to second as they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Lancaster City, who slip in to the relegation zone.

The game was a stalemate until Adam Hughes’ red card with 11 minutes to go gave the Dolly Blues the impetus to lead through Brad Carsley, who scored his second goal in as many outings since joining from Bamber Bridge.

But just as it looked like they had secured an invaluable away win, Tony Gray stepped up with a stunning free-kick deep in to injury time to snatch a point for the Yellows.

Basford United’s poor run of form continued as they were beaten 3-1 by Hednesford Town.

The Pitmen had been busy in the transfer market in the build-up to the match, and boss Nicky Eaden handed a debut to no fewer than six players as he secured his first win since taking charge.

They led early through Shane Benjamin’s debut goal, though James Reid equalised shortly after for 1-1 at half time.

A second half brace from Jud Ellis secured Hednesford’s first win of 2019 and ensured they completed a league double over Basford, who have now slipped to 10th in the table after four straight defeats.

A new signing made the difference for Gainsborough Trinity at Mickleover Sports, with Doncaster loanee Max Watters scoring the only goal having joined on Friday to ensure they keep up the pressure on the top five.

Stafford Rangers pulled off a stunning 5-0 win at Grantham Town to end a run of four games without a win and lift them out of the relegation zone.

They did the damage in the first half an hour, scoring three times through Luke Jones, Tom Thorley and Theo Bailey-Jones, with second half goals from Lewis Banks and Jake Charles putting the icing on the cake.

Marine’s recent upturn in form continued, though they were held to a point by Stalybridge Celtic.

Daniel Cockerline scored his first goal for Celtic on 66 minutes, but Daniel Shaw preserved Marine’s unbeaten run with 10 minutes to go.

With the relegation scrap now hotting up, there are just five points separating Bamber Bridge in 13th to Lancaster in 20th.

One place further down is Workington, who picked up a desperately needed victory in beating Bamber Bridge 2-1.

Samuel Joel fired them in to a 13 minute lead, but Scott Harries equalised three minutes later.

Sam Smith scored the winner on 70 minutes, though results elsewhere mean the Reds still sit eight points adrift of safety.

It looks increasingly bleak for basement dwellers North Ferriby, who were hit for six by Whitby Town.

Ashley Coffey scored a first half hat-trick as Whitby led 4-0 at the break, and they had six by the hour mark, before Mark Hutchinson’s late consolation.

A result that does little for either team was a goalless draw at Matlock Town against Scarborough Athletic, which means the Gladiators remain 11 points off the Seadogs, who still occupy the final play-off spot.

Hyde United continue to quietly pick up points and they are now 7th in the table thanks to Dominic Smalley’s winner against Witton Albion.

To view all the results from the weekend’s games, visit the EVO-STIK League results page, and check the latest league tables here.