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NPL round-up | Goals galore for the top three, Rushall pick up massive win and Lancaster reignite play-off hopes

Thirty-nine goals were scored across an exhilarating weekend in the Northern Premier League’s top division.

Hebburn Town remain top of the division after picking up a third consecutive win at Cleethorpes Town, in-turn ending the Owls’ nine-game unbeaten run.

Daniel Moore’s side raced out into a two-goal lead inside the first half, but were pegged back to two apiece in the space of four second-half minutes.

The Hornets responded well though, and efforts from Aidan Heywood to put them back ahead and then Gary Martin’s second of the afternoon in the final few minutes helped ensure all three points came back with the league leaders.

Hednesford Town remain second on goal difference, having also netted four en route to their third consecutive win.

It was a much simpler outing for Kelvin Davis’ side at Keys Park against struggling Morpeth Town. Omari Serling-James netted a hat-trick, and Montel Gibson added the other in a 4-0 win, leaving the Highwaymen in the drop zone.

But the league title is still in FC United of Manchester’s hands, after they bounced back from defeat on Easter Monday in style, scoring five away from home in a 5-2 victory over Guiseley.

Six goals came in an electric first half, and while the second didn’t have as much in terms of goalmouth action, Adam Le Fondre would get in on the act seven minutes from time to wrap up a five-star performance on the road from Mark Beesley’s side.

That win secured FC United’s play-off place at a minimum, and joining them in doing so were Warrington Rylands, who came out on top in a five-goal thriller against bottom club Stocksbridge Park Steels.

The relegation-threatened side took the lead inside 10 minutes through Connor Smythe, but a brace from defender Paddy Gamble turned the game on its head and sent Neil Reynolds’ side into the break a goal up.

Rylands would make it 3-1 on the hour mark, and while Stocksbridge threatened a comeback after halving the deficit 20 minutes from time, it wasn’t to be for Jordan Lemon’s side, who have now lost their last three games.

They’re still not mathematically down just yet though, as only three of the bottom seven managed to pick up any points this weekend.

The only side to come away with all three were Rushall Olympic, who have now won back-to-back league games for the first time since August after a 4-2 triumph away at Stockton Town.

Similarly to Hebburn, the Pics took a two-goal lead before being pegged back by a quickfire double from the home side.

Daniel Chimeziri added to his opener with a couple of second-half efforts, the latter coming in stoppage time, to complete his hat-trick and move Ian Long’s side five points clear of the drop.

Whitby Town and Hyde United both moved a point closer to safety after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Towbar Express Stadium.

The Seasiders are now three points clear of Morpeth, while Hyde moved two points clear of the drop by extending their unbeaten run to four games.

Workington were unable to pull clear of the Highwaymen, and they remain one point above danger after a 2-1 defeat away at Ashton United.

Two goals in five second-half minutes from Alex Byrne and Darius Osei had the Robins ahead going into the final stages, and while Matty Tymon got one back with two minutes to go, it wasn’t enough to stage a remarkable comeback.

Prescot Cables were unable to take advantage of that defeat to pull closer to safety, as their winless run extended to 12 matches after a 1-0 defeat away at Leek Town.

Louis Potts netted the only goal of the game to make it four wins on the spin for Josh Brehaut’s side, while Cables are left four points adrift of Workington with just two games remaining.

Further up the table, with four play-off spots confirmed, the race for fifth place will be as heated as ever heading into the final couple of weeks, especially given Lancaster City’s 3-0 win against Gainsborough Trinity.

It was a must-win game for the Dolly Blues, as defeat against the side in fifth would have eliminated them from play-off contention.

Ultimately, a perfect second-half performance, complete with goals from Sam Bailey, Joe Aimson and Dylan Thompson, ensured all three points remained at the Giant Axe, in-turn dragging Lancaster back to within a point of the play-offs.

Gainsborough remain fifth, owing to Stockton’s surprise defeat against Rushall, but have missed out on a massive opportunity to open up a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

And finally, Ilkeston Town ran out 2-0 victors over Bamber Bridge at the New Manor Ground.

A red card for the Brig’s Nathan Okome at 0-0 was the turning point, and Ilkeston responded by grabbing the opener four minutes later through Daniel Odunaiya.

Jamie Walker then added a second to end a brief two-game winless run for Ian Deakin’s side, pulling them to within two points of their opponents in 11th as a result.

Results - Saturday 11 April