Premier Round-up: Workington claim crucial away win

Conor Tinnion’s goal was enough to earn the Reds their ninth win of the season, which moves them within four points of safety with games in hand.

No one else in the bottom seven managed a win, though some did gain a valuable point.

Stafford Rangers once again proved the nemesis of title-chasing Warrington Town, holding them to a 1-1 draw at Marston Road just a fortnight after their 3-2 win at Cantilever Park.

Andrai Jones’ goal on half-time was cancelled out by Jack Dunn, a result which leaves the Yellows clinging on to second place by goal difference.

Mickleover Sports remain in the dropzone, with Workington and North Ferriby, despite earning a point in a 1-1 draw at Matlock Town.

Jonathan Margetts scored the goal of the week to put the Gladiators in front, but two minutes later Mason Warren equalised for Sports.

Grantham Town also gained a point on the road, drawing 1-1 away at Nantwich Town, who remain firmly in the play-off picture.

Sean Cooke gave the fourth placed Dabbers a half time lead with an injury time penalty, before Shane Benjamin equalised midway through the second half.

Bamber Bridge suffered their sixth successive defeat as their relegation worries worsened, as they went down 3-0 at home to league leaders Farsley Celtic.

A Nathan Cartman brace sandwiched a James Spencer strike as Farsley opened up a four point gap at the top of the table.

South Shields moved level with Warrington thanks to a 4-0 home win over Hyde United.

Goals from Lee Mason, Craig Baxter, Nathan Lowe and Dillon Morse left Shields just one goal short of the Yellows’ goal difference, though the implications of North Ferriby’s exit may soon change that picture even further in the north east club’s favour.

Marine were the big winners at the bottom of the table as James Murray’s goal fired them to a 1-0 win over Gainsborough Trinity, a result which lifts them up to 15th and nine points clear of the drop zone.

That result has implications on the play-off chase, as Gainsborough now sit just two points above Buxton, who defeated fellow play-off chasers Scarborough Athletic 1-0.

Callum Chippendale’s first half goal was enough for Buxton to leapfrog their opponents, who sacked manager Steve Kittrick after their defeat last weekend.

It now looks like being a three-way fight for that final play-off place, especially after Witton Albion and Basford United held each other to a 2-2 draw at Wincham Park.

Once again Witton suffered late frustration. After conceding an injury time equaliser to Stafford in midweek, they did the same against Basford, having squandered a two goal lead.

Rob Hopley and Will Jones put Witton 2-0 up inside the first 18 minutes for a potential three points that may well have dragged them firmly in to the play-off chase, but a James Reid penalty got one back for Basford.

And in injury-time, Nathan Watson bagged an equaliser for Basford, who themselves will have hopes of catching the trio chasing that fifth spot.

Both Basford and Witton do have a game in hand on those above them.

Elsewhere, Lancaster City and Hednesford Town edged themselves further away from the bottom end of the table with a 2-2 draw at The Giant Axe.

But it was the Dolly Blues who would go away the happier of the two sides, after they turned around a 2-0 half-time deficit.

Kieran Wells and Daniel Sweeney had fired the Pitmen in front to continue their recent good run of form, but David Norris and Paul Dawson, in the 90th minute, rescued a point for Mark Fell’s men.

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