Dabbers’ form goes on in win

NANTWICH Town made it five home wins in a row with an impressive 2-1 victory over play off chasing Scarborough Athletic.

The Dabbers went in front in the 17th minute. Akiel Raffie beat his man on the right, cut in, and drove the ball past Ryan Whitley at the near post.

Scarborough restored parity in the 33rd minute. Bailey Gooda had a long range shot that was blocked but the ball fell to Michael Coulson and he blasted it past Matty Gould.

Luca Colville fired over for the visitors before Nantwich regained the lead in the 64th minute. A corner came over that Whitley spilled, Troy Bourne had a shot blocked, and Sean Cooke fired the loose ball into the net.

Ashley Jackson shot over for Scarborough, but Nantwich were worthy winners to move up to 14th in the table.

Kidsgrove Athletic were held to a 0-0 draw by Ramsbottom United at the Autonet Insurance Stadium.

Ramsbottom started well as Billy Hasler-cregg had a shot saved by Ryan Brown and Domaine Rouse hit the post before the rebound was cleared off the line.

Grove came into the game more in the second half with Kieran Brown having the best of their chances.

Five minutes from time Brown was clean through with just the ‘keeper to beat but Tom Stewart did well to deny the Grove striker.

Newcastle Town dropped into the bottom three following a 2-0 defeat at play off chasing Clitheroe.

The home side were denied early on as Joe Slinn made an excellent save to deny Sefton Gonzales.

Castle hit back though and Ellis Jones had a header cleared off the line in the 17th minute.

Despite Slinn’s heroics, Clitheroe broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.

A ball into the box fell to Max Cane and he drove it into the net for his 14th goal in just nine games.

The home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Jack Burrows sent over a cross and Ross Dent headed it past Slinn.

Castle had a couple of free-kicks on the edge of the box but both were dealt with by the wall.

Newcastle are safe from automatic relegation but the team that finishes third from the bottom may well, depending on PPG, have to face a relegation play-off against a runner-up from one of the leagues below, so there is still plenty still to play for.