Gladiators stay top despite home defeat
MATLOCK Town remain top of the Pitching-in Premier Division, despite losing to their closest rivals.
The Gladiators were at home to second-placed South Shields and Darius Osei’s 62nd-minute closerange header was enough to clinch a 1-0 win for the visitors.
With the three points, the Mariners moved level at the summit but Matlock remain in front thanks to a superior goal difference.
There were 1,364 fans at Causeway Lane, watching Matlock put up tremendous resistance against an excellent Shields full-time outfit, who at times showed just why they are title favourites.
After falling behind, Matlock pushed forward to throw the kitchen sink at the North-East club but a leveller would not come.
With two minutes remaining, Matlock had a huge penalty claim waved away by Sheffield referee Anthony Tankard.
Mickleover won away against Atherton Collieries thanks to Stuart Beavon’s 90th-minute winner.
Andrew Dales gave Mickleover a 59th-minute lead but with 10 minutes remaining Atherton were level after Matthew Gillam tucked away a penalty. But Beavon had the last word for Mickleover, who climbed up to 16th in the table as a result.
In the Pitching-in Midlands Division, Ilkeston Town are fourth after a 3-1 home win against Soham Town Rangers.
The Robins trailed at half-time after Alistair Conway gave the visitors a 31st-minute lead.
But three goals in a nine-minute spell turned the game around.
Aman Verma equalised in the 63rd minute before Alexander Troke gave Ilkeston the lead four minutes later.
Patrick Webb made it 3-1 in the 69th minute and Rangers had no response.
Gresley Rovers maintained their 100% home record to stay one point clear at the top of the United Counties Premier League North.
Goals from Alby Lansdowne and
Ryan Seal (penalty) clinched a 2-0 win against Sleaford Town for the Moatmen, their eighth victory of the campaign.