PITCHING-IN NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

HEBBURN Town were forced to fight for three points that moved them back into the play-off spots as the Hornets took maximum reward from their visit to East Division rivals Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Top scorer Amar Purewal got things under way with just eight minutes on the clock as the in-form forward got on to an Arron Thompson pass before firing beyond keeper Ben Townsend.

On-loan Hartlepool United youngster Leo Robinson doubled the lead with ten minutes remaining – but Hebburn were forced to hold on as a Luke Rawson penalty gave their hosts some hope of snatching a point with two minutes remaining. Hornets manager Daniel

Moore admitted his side were ready to focus their attentions on securing a play-off place as leaders Stockton Town remain out of reach.

He said: “It will be difficult for us (to win the league) if I’m being totally honest.

“The points gap is a lot and can I see a side of Stockton’s quality dropping that many points? I’m not sure, so the battle is on with those other teams to get in those positions where you want to be in the playoffs. We have to take it game-by-game, we have a little points target in the dressing room and we aren’t miles away from where we want to be.”

Stockton’s push for the title received a boost on Saturday as Michael Dunwell’s men secured a battling win at Grimsby Borough. The Anchors wasted little time in opening the scoring as former Darlington and Spennymoor forward Stephen Thompson rounded off a neat move with a powerful low drive.

Former Dunston UTS striker Michael Fowler doubled Stockton’s lead two minutes into the second half to ensure a win that moved the Anchors 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Dunston UTS strengthened their grip on a play-off spot with a narrow win at North Ferriby. Young forward Jack Maskell grabbed the only goal with a powerful header midway through the first half.

Newton Aycliffe lie just a point from the play-offs after they mounted a late comeback against Cleethorpes Town.

A Liam Adamson goal cancelled out an early opener from visitors winger Curtis

Bateson midway through the first half but a goal either side of half-time from Jordon Cooke and Brody Robertson seemed to have given the Owls all three points.

However, former Sunderland and Middlesbrough academy forward Cole Kiernan reduced the arrears for Aycliffe with five minutes left, and an own goal from Cooke ensured the spoils were shared.

There was disappointment for Morpeth Town on their visit to Premier Division leaders Radcliffe as a lengthy pitch inspection ended with the fixture being postponed after the Highwaymen had arrived at the Neuven Stadium.