NORTH: WEEKEND ROUND-UP

Top two suffer surprise defeats

Defeats for Nationwide North leaders Alfreton Town and second-placed Kettering Town allowed the chasing pack to close the gap on Saturday, although only Harrogate took full advantage.

Alfreton lost 3-2 at home to Lancaster after coming from behind in each half to level the match. City's top scorer Ryan-Zico Black scored the winner for the visitors in the 85th minute, having put them 2-1 ahead on the hour.

Meanwhile, Kettering were beaten 2-1 at Barrow as Guy Heffernan hit the 81st-minute winner for the home side, who were in need of the victory on a day that saw several of the sides at the lower end of the table record good results.

Harrogate made the most of the opportunity to move to within a victory of the leaders as they saw off Nuneaton Borough with a 3-1 win that was secured through two goals from man of the match Clayton Donaldson, the second coming from the penalty spot in the 75th minute.

Southport failed to take advantage however as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Worcester City. After taking the lead through Darren Lynch, the Sandgrounders found themselves 2-1 down and had Kevin Leadbetter to thank for pulling them level in the 70th minute, via a deflected free-kick.

Altrincham and Droylsden also drew 2-2, after two goals in the final few moments at Moss Lane. Gareth Morris must have thought he'd given the visitors victory in the local derby with his 90th-minute effort, but Eddie Hussin struck in stoppage time to rescue a point for The Robins.

Hinckley United remain one point ahead of them both despite losing 2-0 at home to Stafford Rangers, who scored in each half to dent their opponents' promotion challenge.

Vauxhall Motors enjoyed an important 1-0 win over Hucknall Town thanks to Darren Wright's goal in the dying moments of hard-fought game, while fellow strugglers Stalybridge Celtic also picked up three much-needed points after a late goal gave them a 2-1 win over local rivals Ashton.

The only other game in the division saw Worksop and Runcorn FC Halton share the spoils with a 1-1 draw that keeps them both in mid-table.