Hinckley United missed the opportunity to move into third place in the Blue Square North table after being held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Blyth Spartans at the Marston`s Stadium on Monday night.
Spartans took the lead right on the stroke of half time when Paul Brayson fired home from an acute angle.
The hosts` equalised on 55 minutes when Connor Franklin headed home Andy Hall`s corner.
However, it could have been much worse for the play-off chasing Knitters when, in the closing stages, Blyth were awarded a penalty that Brayson fired over the bar.
The other game in Blue Square North on Monday was another of the Tameside derby battles.
This one was between Hyde United and Stalybridge Celtic at Ewen Fields and it was a crucial one for both sides.
The Tigers needed the points to maintain their move away from the drop zone, while Celtic are challenging for a play-off spot.
And it was the visitors who drew first blood when Hyde`s on-loan keeper brought down Michael Twiss in the area and Warren Peyton duly converted the resultant spot-kick.
And Celtic could and perhaps should have increased their lead after that, but were made to pay immediately before the break when Nathan D’Laryea headed Hyde level following a corner.
The crowd of 706 were just about to settle for honours` even when, with less than 2 minutes remaining, Celtic failed to clear a free kick and Nathan Arnold pounced to earn the Tigers three precious points.
