Premier: Top two pick up wins in title race

By James Gordon

Buxton and South Shields both registered comfortable wins over the weekend as the title race promises to go to the wire.

The Bucks, unbeaten since January, were 3-0 winners at home to already relegated Grantham Town to maintain their two point lead at the top of the table.

The opener from Ash Chambers was after 11 minutes, hit home from close range, while Diego De Girolamo's brace involved a 12-yards power drive in 21 minutes and a 65th-minute finisher after a multi-passing move out of the Bucks' defence.

Assistant manager Damian Crossley said: "We were very good in patches. Once we went two goals in front it looked as if we'd get more. They were three worthy goals, although I'd have liked us to take further chances."

Another superb crowd of 2,257 watched Shields put four past Stalybridge.

Darius Osei lived up to the pre-match billing by notching a brace against his former club, with Blair Adams adding two of his own in the second half.

Matlock Town ended their six-match wait for a win with a 1-0 victory away at struggling Basford United.

Jesurun Uchegbulam struck nine minutes from time to help the Gladiators take advantage of those behind them slipping up.

Warrington Town let a 1-0 half-time lead slip as they were held by Stafford, while Scarborough Athletic could only manage a goalless draw at Ashton United.

That enabled Bamber Bridge to close the gap to the play-off places to three points with a 4-0 win at Hyde United.

But Whitby Town missed out on their chance to put pressure on their local rivals, as they were beaten 4-3 at Radcliffe.

Morpeth Town ended FC United’s play-off chances with a 1-0 win at Craik Park to move themselves up to seventh.

At the other end, Harry Bower’s dramatic late goal gave Witton a lifeline as they won 1-0 at Lancaster City.

Witton are now just five points behind Basford as they try and reach safety, with the two sides set to meet on the final day of the season.

Elsewhere, Gainsborough continued their fine form at home this season with a 2-0 win over Mickleover, and a last minute equaliser rescued a point for Nantwich at home in a 2-2 draw against Atherton Collieries.

Where next?

Matlock wait on injury news Matlock Town have up to six players out injured as they prepare for a big weekend.
2021/22 fixture amendments #52 Please note the following re-arrangements to avoid a clash with the FA Cup televised fixture between Manchester City and Liverpool.

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