Blyth Spartans are now four points clear at the top of the table despite being held at bottom of the table Ramsbottom United on Tuesday night, 0-0. On Saturday they came away from struggling Grantham Town 3-2 winners.  Alex Nicholson and Robbie Dale gave Blyth a 2-0 lead, before Jamie McGhee pulled one back for the home side. Sean Reid extended Blyth’s lead, with Lee Shaw pulling back a late goal for Grantham.

Nantwich Town are second, but could have finished this week top of the table. On Saturday they took the lead at Ilkeston thanks to Joshua Hancock. However, the hosts came from behind to win the game 3-1, with Lindokuhle Ndlovu scoring twice along with a goal from Liam Marshall.

Nantwich were thankful for a stoppage time equaliser on Tuesday to earn a point at Halesowen. Isaac Cooper gave Halesowen the lead, but Matthew Kosylo snatched a point for Nantwich late on.

Buxton have moved up into third place in the league table. They drew 0-0 at Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday, before they won comfortably at Grantham Town in mid-week. The league’s top scorer Liam Hardy opened the scoring with Joel Bembo-Leta and Alex Wiles adding goals in a 3-0 win for Buxton.

Stourbridge twice won 2-0 away from home this week to move up into fourth place. At the weekend Karl Hawley and a Matthew Dodd penalty were enough for victory away to Hyde United. On Tuesday, away to Colwyn Bay, Hawley opened the scoring once again with Justin Richards sealing the win with two minutes to play.

Salford City are only outside the play-off places on goal difference with at least one game in hand on all those above the. They were 1-0 winners at Frickley Athletic thanks to a first-half Jordan Hulme goal and they were able to hang on for the victory despite finishing the game with nine men.

Sutton Coldfield Town are level on points with Darlington and Salford City following a 2-0 victory over Mickleover Sports on Tuesday night. Luke Rodgers opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with Aaron Forde doubling the lead on the other side of the break.

Workington are in eighth place, still with a game in hand on most of the sides above them. On Saturday they came from 2-0 down to rescue a point at home to Mickleover Sports. Massiah McDonald and Anthony Griffiths had given the visitors a two goal cushion inside the first fifteen minutes. However, Matthew Tymon and Sam Smith earned a point for Workington.  They then overcome Whitby Town on Tuesday. Tymon opened the scoring, but Whitby levelled through Lee Bullock shortly after. Workington were able to claim all the points though with Joseph McGee and Gareth Arnison scoring as they went onto win the game 3-1.

Matlock Town sit ninth after a 1-0 win at home to Ashton United on Saturday, Danny Holland scoring the only goal after 19 minutes. They then won again by the same score-line against Rushall Olympic in mid-week, Craig Nelthorpe scoring the winner in the 57^th minute.

Ilkeston round out the top ten after two wins this week. They followed up their impressive win over Nantwich with another against Barwell on Monday night.  Liam Marshall scored the winner from the penalty spot inside the final ten minutes of the match.

Ramsbottom United are still bottom of the table and are still looking for their first win after another defeat, the latest at home to Barwell. Anthony Carney gave Barwell the lead before Matthew Crothers levelled for Ramsbottom. However, Carney would grab his second along with a goal from veteran striker Iyseden Christie to seal a 3-1 win for Barwell.

Stamford are third bottom after a defeat at fellow strugglers Colwyn Bay. Nathan Hicks had given Stamford the lead, but John Dillon and Luke Denson earned the three points for Colwyn with a 2-1 win.

The final two games of the week saw two 0-0 draws in the fixtures between Halesowen Town against Whitby Town and Rushall Olympic against Skelmersdale United.

Next week the Quakers face two away trips. On Saturday at Mickleover Sports and then on Tuesday at Ashton United. Elsewhere league leaders Blyth host Sutton Coldfield and Frickely Athletic. Some of the sides in the Evo-Stik Premier are in FA Cup action, as they look to progress to the final qualifying round.  One tie, which sees Marine face Northwich Victoria, has been postponed pending an FA Inquiry into Northwich fielding a possible ineligible player.

Saturday 10th October Fixtures

League

Blyth Spartans v Sutton Coldfield Town

Halesowen Town v Matlock Town

Ilkeston FV v Colwyn Bay

Mickleover Sports v Darlington

Nantwich Town v Hyde United

Skelmersdale United v Frickley Athletic

Stamford v Workington

Whitby Town v Grantham Town

 FA CUP

AFC Rushden and Diamonds v Ashton United

Barwell v Kings Lynn Town

Salford City v Bradford Park Avenue

Stourbridge v Rushall Olympic