National League: Macclesfield Town 0 Eastleigh 1

The Silkmen lost their unbeaten run to an impressive Eastleigh side at the Moss Rose, an early second half strike from Luke Collison giving the visitors the win that moved Ronnie Moore’s team above their hosts in the chase for promotion.

In a full-blooded affair there were tackles a plenty, Eastleigh defender Joe Partington being booked inside the first minute for a challenge on Jack Sampson, setting the theme of the day.

Both sides seemed intent on winning the ball at all costs, home player Paul Lewis the next to see yellow for another strong challenge.

Lewis was one of several players to receive treatment for head injuries in the first half following a number of competitive aerial duels.

Chris Holroyd and Kingsley James came closest for the home side before Collison won it for Moore’s team with a fine strike from the edge of the box.

Partington came close to adding a second minutes later, home keeper Ross tipping his cross-shot onto the bar.

FA Cup: Stockport County 2 (Lloyd, Clarke) Hyde United 0

Stockport County claimed their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a comfortable win over local rivals Hyde United at Edgeley Park thanks to first-half goals from Danny Lloyd and Mike Clarke.

The Hatters took the lead as Lloyd sent Dylan Forth the wrong way from the penalty spot, after the referee spotted Scott Spencer’s shirt being pulled in the box.

Within ten minutes the lead had been doubled as Clarke powered home a header from the home side’s first corner of the game.

In a first half dominated by County the visitors best chance came by way of a defensive error, skipper Mark Ross losing the ball to Ayrton Bevins, his pass leading to a close effort from James Cadman.

The home side missed several second-half chances to improve their lead, Jimmy Ball, Courtney Meppen-Walters, Josh Amis, Scott Duxbury and Clarke all coming close before the final whistle.

Hallmark Security Premier Division: Winsford United 3 New Mills 1 (Foulds)

Having taken a first-half lead through top-scorer Haydn Foulds, The Millers were undone by a second-half treble from home striker Nathan Cotterell.

Foulds had put Garry Brown’s team in control at the break with a fine strike only for Cotterell to put his side in front with two goals in the first five minutes of the second half.

With the visitors still in the game home keeper Michael Langley saved a penalty to ensure his side stayed in front before Cotterell claimed the match ball with his third goal of the game as the final whistle approached, taking his side clear of the relegation places in the process.

Hallmark Security 1st Division: Chadderton Town 1 Cheadle Town 1 (Magida)

In a game that they dominated for long periods, Thabiso Magida grabbed a late equaliser for Cheadle Town to claim a deserved point for Terry Hincks’ team at Chadderton Town after the home team had taken a second-half lead against the run of play.

The visitors had made and missed several first half chances before Nick Alexander grabbed the first goal of the game ten minutes into the second period to put the home side in charge.

Magida had the last word late on to claim a share of the spoils for the visitors as he pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home and keep his side clear of the relegation places.

Hallmark Security 1st Division: Stockport Town 7 (Neequaye 4, Abreu 2, Bennion) Eccleshall 1

The Lions got back to winning ways with a thrashing of bottom club Eccleshall at Stockport Sports Village, moving themselves up to a mid-table position in the process.

Top scorer Nathan Neequaye grabbed four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as Calum Sykes’ team claimed a 7-1 victory.

Neequaye notched his first of the day with just three minutes on the clock and just over half-an-hour later he had already claimed the match ball.

Ruben Abreu also struck two first-half goals as the home side went in 5-0 up at the break.

Late on Neequaye added his fourth and Liam Bennion put his name on the score sheet before Tom Wakefield spoiled the perfect day with a late consolation for the visitors.