Reds close but end up empty-handed
ALFRETON Town’s wait for a league win against Gateshead will stretch to another year after the Reds lost their seven-match unbeaten run in a 2-1 defeat in the north-east.
It was close – Alfreton led through Dayle Southwell’s goal, a superb 24th-minute finish after he controlled Matt Rhead’s flick-on, until the last 15 minutes.
Cedwyn Scott pounced for Gateshead’s equaliser at that point and even then the Reds looked good for a point until hesitancy in defence in stoppage time led to Greg Olley scoring the winner.
In a lively game, both goalkeepers were busy and both sides hit the woodwork, Scott with a shot five minutes before his goal and Rhead with a glancing header seven minutes from time.
ILKESTON Town went to the top of the Pitching Inn NPL Midland Division with a storming 5-1 win away to Loughborough Dynamo.
Zak Goodson put them ahead after six minutes but the Robins really took control with two more goals in five minutes just before half-time, Goodson adding his second and Kieran Fenton also scoring.
Alex Troke made it four after 63 minutes and Remaye Campbell added the fifth with four minutes left before Sacha Markelic scored a late consolation for Loughborough.
Ilkeston remain unbeaten away from home in the division.
It is tight at the top of the table and Belper Town, in sixth place, are only four points behind the Robins after coming from behind to beat Soham Town Rangers 3-1 in front of a healthy crowd of 591 at the Raygar Stadium.
Oliver Ward had given struggling Rangers the lead in the 17th minute.
Good chances for Craig Nelthorpe and Alex Peterson came and went before half-time but Belper looked more potent when Danny South moved up front after the break.
They pulled level after 57 minutes when South was pushed in the box and Nelthorpe put away the penalty in the absence of injured top scorer Jonny Margetts.
Soham looked like they might hang on before Nathan Curtis lobbed the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 with 10 minutes left, then Brodie Litchfield made the points safe with a powerful angled shot after 83 minutes.
TWO second-half goals from Mason Warren eased Mickleover out of the Pitching In NPL Premier Division relegation places as they beat Atherton Collieries 2-0 at home.
It was only Mickleover’s second win in the last 13 League games and the previous one had come in the away game against the same opponents.
MATLOCK Town came through their FA Trophy first round test away to Rushall Olympic with a comfortable 4-0 win.
Although a level below the Gladiators, Rushall went into the game in good form and with the advantage of playing at home on their 4G pitch.
They played some neat football but foundered in the final third with Matlock’s defence looking solid.
Rushall had just hit the bar before Gladiators’ keeper Paul Cooper’s goal kick sent Liam Hughes away to put them ahead after 41 minutes and Ryan Qualter headed the second from a corner only three minutes later.
Matt Sargent’s first goal for Matlock, poked in from a 72nd-minute scramble, sealed the tie and Jesurun Uchegbulam added a fourth after 82 minutes.