NPL round-up | League leaders held and Cleethorpes win on weekend of close scorelines
Redcar Athletic sit two points clear at the top of the NPL Premier Division as we move into November, despite being held to a 2-2 draw by fellow high-flyers Guiseley.
Goals shortly before half-time from Brad Fewster and Luke Spalding gave the Steelmen a two-goal lead at the break.
But Guiseley, the division's in-form side, left it late to earn a share of the spoils. Cam Wilson fired into the bottom corner inside the final five minutes, before a deflected second for Wilson made it 2-2 in second-half stoppage time.
Redcar saw their lead at the top of the table halved to two points, as a result of second-placed Cleethorpes Town winning 1-0 at home to Avro.
The only goal of the contest came four minutes after half-time, Billy Fewster proving to be the match-winner for the Owls.
Defeat for Avro saw them drop a place in the table to sixth.
The Ro started the weekend level on points with fourth-placed Gainsborough Trinity, who led at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Jack Baxter levelled for the Brig six minutes from time, in new boss Paul McKenna's first game at the helm.
Curzon Ashton made it back-to-back wins at home to Leek Town, thanks to a first-half double from Jimmy Spencer.
Alex Hurst scored a late consolation for the Blues, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from dropping into the relegation zone.
Maintaining their play-off position on Saturday were Workington, who came from behind to defeat Bury 2-1 at Salford Van Hire Gigg Lane.
Mo Touray curled home a stunning opener 10 minutes after half-time, but it was cancelled out four minutes later by a fine Simon Rigby equaliser.
The defining moment of the game came just after the hour when Bury's Oscar Threlkeld was shown a straight red card.
With a man advantage, the Reds completed the turnaround when Tom Stephenson scored midway through the second half.
In the race for the top seven, Warrington Rylands remain hot on Workington's heels after a 2-1 win at Ashton United.
Goals from Harrison Wood and George Waring put the visitors two ahead inside the opening half-hour, before Kurt Willoughby halved the deficit 10 minutes before half-time.
It remained a three-goal game, however, as the Robins' winless run in the league was extended to 11 matches.
Elsewhere, Alfreton Town moved up to ninth in the table after goals from Kasper Williams and Siya Ligendza saw the record a 2-1 win over Emley.
The Pewits had picked up seven points from a possible nine heading into Saturday but came away from their trip to the Solana Stadium empty-handed, despite Nathan Stephenson's low finish to reduce the arrears inside the final 20 minutes.
In the afternoon's other games, a late rally wasn't enough to stop Warrington Town from falling to a 3-2 defeat at Quorn.
The Yellows had boasted a strong away record this season ahead of Saturday's trip to Leicestershire but had it all to do after the Methodists opened up an early two-goal lead through quickfire finishes from Terell Pennant and Luke Shaw.
Pennant then turned provider just after the hour for Finlay Tunstall to make it three.
Although Jack Goodwin curled home from outside the area to pull one back for Warrington and Reece Daly added a late penalty to bring them back to within one, it was Quorn who held on to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to six games.
The division's only goalless game of the afternoon came at Broadhurst Park, where FC United of Manchester and Lancaster City played out a stalemate.
The best chance came FC United's way, with Dec Evans' penalty early in the second half going wide.
Towards the foot of the table, Stockton Town and Ilkeston Town picked up important victories.
Stockton Town produced one of the performances of the weekend, scoring five without reply at Whitby Town.
Kian Foreman scored a stunning opener on debut, before Josh Baggs and Owen Gallacher made it 3-0 before the midway point of the first half.
Defender Adam Nicholson made it four shortly after half-time, then soon after, Frank Nouble's penalty capped off a five-star display from the Anchors.
Finally, Ilkeston Town made it back-to-back home wins and clean sheets, defeating Hyde United 1-0.
Dylan Reason headed home his first goal for the club less than 10 minutes into the second half, and that proved to be the difference as the Robins climbed off the foot of the table.
Results - Saturday 31 October
- Alfreton Town 2-1 Emley
- Ashton United 1-2 Warrington Rylands
- Bury 1-2 Workington
- Cleethorpes Town 1-0 Avro
- Curzon Ashton 2-1 Leek Town
- FC United of Manchester 0-0 Lancaster City
- Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Bamber Bridge
- Ilkeston Town 1-0 Hyde United
- Quorn 3-2 Warrington Town
- Redcar Athletic 2-2 Guiseley
- Whitby Town 0-5 Stockton Town
Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.