Macclesfield Town close in on the National League play-offs, Stockport County draw against Boston and Stockport Town held – here’s your non-league football round-up.
National League: Bromley 0 Macclesfield Town 1 (Rowe)
The Silkmen stayed in touch with the leaders with a third consecutive victory, Danny Rowe’s first-half goal at Hayes Lane keeping John Askey’s men in the play-off places.
Following a bright start from both sides it was the visitors that opened the scoring courtesy of a superb effort from Rowe, the winger finding the net with a left-footed effort.
Chris Holroyd almost doubled his sides lead as the half time whistle beckoned, the home side seeing their best effort strike the bar seconds later. John McCombe cleared a Bromley effort off the line as the home side pressed for a leveller in the second half,
The Silkmen seeing out the remainder of the game to clinch all three points.
National League North: Stockport County 1 (Lloyd) Boston United 1
County earned a point from an entertaining game against a Boston United side that claimed their first point on the road this term, Danny Lloyd again on the score sheet for Jim Gannon’s men.
The visitors claimed the early advantage as took the lead after just seven minutes, when Gregg Smith powered home a header following neat buildup play between Liam Agnew and Marcus Marshall.
The Hatters came close to a leveller as Lloyd and Jimmy Ball combined to provide an opportunity for Josh Amis, the young striker heading the chance wide.
Lloyd brought his side level within minutes of the restart, firing a low effort into the bottom corner, County keeper Ben Hinchliffe ensuring his side stayed level minutes later with a superb save from Smith. Joe Maguire then heading another chance for the visitors against the bar.
County substitute almost won it for the home side, his header saved by Dion Curtis-Henry.
Hallmark Security Premier Division: New Mills 1 (Hopper) AFC Liverpool 3
The Millers early season form appears to have deserted them as they were comfortably beaten by visitors AFC Liverpool, the defeat dropping Garry Brown’s side into the bottom half of the table.
Jason Carey gave the visitors an early lead and with Freddy Champion adding a second just before the break it was always going to be difficult for the home side to get back into the game.
Paul Speed put the game beyond The Millers on the hour mark, Ryan Hopper grabbing a consolation for the hosts from the spot late on.
FA Vase: Staveley Miners Welfare 1 Cheadle Town 0
Cheadle Town dropped out of this seasons FA Vase at the first hurdle in a game that will feel they did enough to at least earn a replay.
The home side took the lead on the half hour mark thanks to a fine solo effort from Adam Lee, Chris Sherrington replying with a free kick that came back off the underside of the bar before the break.
Ben Jupp kept his side in the game with several fine saves as the home side searched for a second goal but it was Town that looked the more likely with decent efforts from Mike and Chris Sherrington testing the home keeper, the latter seeing an effort strike the post too.
Rick Whyatt and Luke Hincks both saw efforts cleared off the line before Liam Tongue saw his late effort also strike a post as the home side held on.
Hallmark Security 1st Division Stockport Town 2 (Bennion, Neequaye) Holker Old Boys 2
The Lions led twice against visitors Holker Old Boys through Liam Bennion and Nathan Neequaye, but had to settle or a share of the spoils as the visitors hit back through Dave Swarbrick and John Paul Stanway.
Calum Sykes will be pleased with his sides performance against one of the promotion favourites but will feel aggrieved that they couldn’t hold on to win the game.
Bennion gave the home side a first half lead with a great strike only for Swarbrick to level matters within minutes of the restart. Neequaye put his side the lead again with another fine finish only for Stanway to level within two minutes to claim a share of the spoils.
