NPL round-up | Saturday 14 December

Robbie Savage’s side raced out to a 3-1 lead before half-time at the Leasing.com Stadium, before Sean Etaluku’s goal in second-half stoppage time added extra gloss to yet another win - their 17th in 20 league games.

Macclesfield were able to move further clear of second-placed Guiseley, who had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Project Solar Stadium against Hyde United.

Will Longbottom, the league’s top scorer, struck again to cancel out Ewan Bange’s first-half opener.

Mark Bower’s Lions are now 11 games unbeaten in the league, but have drawn three of their last four.

Hyde dropped out of the top five with their point, after neighbours Ashton United climbed above them with a 4-1 win at Morpeth Town.

The Robins scored three times in the final 20 minutes at Craik Park, with Jason Gilchrist on target twice in the north-east.

Towards the foot of the table, basement side Blyth Spartans completed a remarkable comeback to earn a point at home to Prescot Cables.

Ste Daley’s side led 3-1 with two minutes to go, but goals from Cyril Girald and Sam Hodgson denied Cables a first league win since late October.

Michael Connor is still searching for his first win as Blyth boss, with his side drawing three of the last four games.

Blyth remain adrift at the bottom of the table, after other sides in the mid-season relegation battle also picked up much-needed points this weekend.

Warrington Rylands picked up their third win in five as they defeated Workington 2-1 at the Hive Arena.

Neil Reynolds’ side remain in the bottom four, however, after his former side FC United of Manchester also picked up a 2-1 win away at Basford United.

In a game where all the goals came in the second half, Mark Beesley’s side had to come from behind to take all three points, with Matt Grivosti - who followed Beesley to Broadhurst Park from former club Warrington Town - heading home the winner 16 minutes from time.

Basford have now lost their last three, and find themselves two points above the relegation zone.

Mickleover slipped into the bottom four following a 2-0 defeat to Matlock Town over the weekend.

Gareth Holmes’ side now have only one win in their last 12 league games, whereas Ryan Cresswell’s Matlock side now have been successful in three of their last four games.

Leek Town stay in the bottom four for now, after they were unable to topple promotion-chasing Worksop Town.

Goals from Liam Hughes and Luke Hall either side of half-time were enough for the Tigers to seal a routine 2-0 win, as Leek’s winless run was extended to nine games.

Gainsborough Trinity’s incredible form continued this weekend, as they won their fourth straight league game away at Lancaster City.

A 2-1 win for Russ Wilcox’s side was enough to see them climb to 16th in the table, and they still have as many as six games in hand on the teams around them.

Elsewhere, Hebburn Town fell to a third straight defeat after Nathan Mercer’s second-half strike secured a 2-1 win for Bamber Bridge at the SFC Stadium.

And the other game of the weekend ended goalless, as nothing could separate Whitby Town and Ilkeston Town.

The point did take Whitby into the top 10, however, with Ilkeston remaining fourth.

Results - Saturday 14 December

• Bamber Bridge 2-1 Hebburn Town 
• Basford United 1-2 FC United of Manchester
• Blyth Spartans 3-3 Prescot Cables
• Hyde United 1-1 Guiseley
• Lancaster City 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
• Macclesfield 4-1 Stockton Town
• Matlock Town 2-0 Mickleover 
• Morpeth Town 1-4 Ashton United
• Warrington Rylands 2-1 Workington
• Whitby Town 0-0 Ilkeston Town
• Worksop Town 2-0 Leek Town

Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.