NPL round-up | FC United of Manchester go top, Stockton move into the top five and Morpeth climb out of the drop zone

Mark Beesley’s side won for a fourth straight game at Warrington Rylands, leaving the Quickline Logistics Arena with a 2-1 win.

Second-half goals from Jay Fitzmartin and Adam Sudworth had FC United cruising, and although Rylands threatened a late comeback, Ben Hardcastle’s 96th-minute goal proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation.

FC United are now eight points ahead of Rylands, but more importantly, top of the table, after Hebburn Town and Hednesford Town both drew against sides battling against relegation.

For the second straight week, Hebburn drew 0-0, this time at home to Prescot Cables, who themselves have now drawn four in a row. That point helped Ste Daley’s side remain above the drop zone on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Hednesford had to come from behind to salvage a point against bottom club Stocksbridge Park Steels, after Luke Rawson had given the hosts the lead in the first half.

Down at the bottom, that point for Park Steels ultimately wasn’t enough to close the gap to safety, and they now find themselves four points removed from 18th due to results elsewhere.

First, Morpeth Town picked up just their second away win of the league campaign against Bamber Bridge.

Nic Bollado and Callum Bonne netted in the second half to secure all three points for the Highwaymen, who have now won back-to-back games off the back of a six-game winless run.

More importantly, that’s now seen them climb up and out of the relegation zone, after Hyde United’s poor form continued at the hands of fellow relegation-battlers Workington.

Billy Barr’s Reds have now won four of their last five games, all to-nil, after Josh Galloway’s second-half effort saw them over the line at the Project Solar Stadium.

Only FC United of Manchester have picked up more points across the last 10 games than Workington. Despite this, they’re still in the drop zone on goal difference, but have at least jumped up above their opponents into 19th, who have now lost three on the spin.

Elsewhere, Stockton Town recaptured their place in the top five after a hard-fought win over Warrington Town.

Goals either side of half-time had the Anchors in a comfortable lead, but just six minutes after Lewis King had doubled their advantage, Kallan Murphy pulled one back for the Yellows.

However, Michael Dunwell’s side would hold out for all three points, securing back-to-back wins and a place back in the play-offs, while Warrington are now eight points adrift having played two games more.

Gainsborough Trinity fell to sixth after they were held away at Rushall Olympic.

Alex Moore cancelled out Fraser Preston’s opener 15 minutes from time to share the points once more for the Pics. They’ve now drawn five of the last six, and are just two points above the drop zone.

Trinity may be out of the play-offs, but they were able to cut the points gap between themselves and Rylands this weekend. Russ Wilcox’s side are now just two behind fourth, with two games in hand.

Guisley took a step closer to securing their safety by handing Whitby Town their third straight defeat at Nethermoor.

Elliot Owen netted the only goal of the game inside the opening 17 minutes to ensure that Ian Richards’ side remain seven points clear of the drop, while Whitby are now just two clear of danger.

Lancaster City’s alternating wins and losses ended with a goalless draw at home to Cleethorpes Town. They remain four points adrift of the top five, albeit having played one game more than both Stockton and Gainsborough.

And finally, the mid-table clash between Ashton United and Ilkeston Town also ended goalless.

Results - Saturday 21 March

• Ashton United 0-0 Ilkeston Town
• Bamber Bridge 0-2 Morpeth Town
• Guiseley 1-0 Whitby Town
• Hebburn Town 0-0 Prescot Cables
• Hyde United 0-1 Workington
• Lancaster City 0-0 Cleethorpes Town
• Rushall Olympic 1-1 Gainsborough Trinity
• Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-1 Hednesford Town
• Stockton Town 2-1 Warrington Town
• Warrington Rylands 1-2 FC United of Manchester

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