Saturday's North Division action review

The Mariners battled to a 1-0 win at the URETEK Stadium, courtesy of a 76th minute goal from sub Graeme Armstrong on a hard, bumpy pitch in front of a bumper 373 crowd.

However, they were unable to claim the title due to Scarborough Athletic`s 3-1 comeback win at Colne. Bailey Gooda inadvertedly gave Colne an early sixth minute with an own goal, but Boro were level through James Walshaw`s penalty nine minutes later. Max Wright eight minutes into the second half and Walshaw again 13 minutes from time, sealed the win.

The result leaves them level on points with third-placed Hyde United, who have played a game more while Shields could wrap up the title at Radcliffe on Tuesday, when another big following is expected.

Hyde did their bit by winning their penultimate game at Mossley AFC`s Seel Park, Elliott Rokka headed in a Big Khamsuk`s free-kick to give the Tigers an early seventh minute lead against their Tameside neighbours.

But Mossley have improved of late and grabbed a 26th minute equaliser with a neat finish from Michael Fish. With 90 minutes gone and the scores still level deep into stoppage time, it looked like it wasn`t going to be the Tigers' day but skipper Paddy Miller saved them with a 95th minute headed winner.

Prescot Cables and Bamber Bridge are both assured a top six spot, although both lost on Saturday – Cables 2-1 at third-bottom Brighouse Town, for whom Aaron Martin in the 52nd minute and Mo Ibrahim just past the hour-mark cancelled out Joe Herbert`s 18th minute opener.

Brig were beaten 4-0 at Dimple Wells in Ossett Albion`s final home game before merging with Ossett Town, a crowd of 402 turning up to see Albion score through Scott Metcalfe and Tom Corner in the first half and Aiden Chippendale and Adam Priestley in the second.

The final play-off spot is between Trafford, who currently hold it, and Colwyn Bay, who still have three games to play this coming week compared to Trafford`s two.

But Bay`s hopes of cutting the two-point deficit was boosted after they hammered Clitheroe 5-1 at Llanelian Road and Trafford were beaten at already-relegated Goole AFC.

Lassana Mendes and Jack Hindle gave Bay a 2-0 interval lead that Hindle added to eight minutes into the second period. Danny Andrews made it game over with Bay`s fourth just past the hour-mark and Hindle completed his hat-trick eight minutes later, with Chris Churchman netting a 74th minute consolation for the Blues.

Declan Howe scored the only goal in the 63rd minute at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds in Goole`s final home game before dropping into the Northern Counties East League next season.

Tadcaster Albion's slim hopes of making the play-offs disappeared with a 0-0 draw at Atherton Collieries.

Elsewhere, Greg Daniels bagged a brace of penalties as Ramsbottom United beat Droylsden 3-1 at home, while Bradley Carroll`s 17th minute effort proved enough in the end for Kendal Town at Parkside against Glossop North End.

Image courtesy of Peter Talbot/South Shields

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