Saturday’s Round-Up: Vanarama National League North

The two exceptions were at Stockport County and nearby FC United of Manchester, who both managed to get their respective home games on.

A crowd of 3,379 were at Edgeley Park for the important game between play-off contenders Stockport and Spennymoor Town.

It was the north-east visitors who drew first blood after 21 minutes when Stephen O`Halloran tripped Glen Taylor in the box, and the striker dusted himself down (or rather dusted the snow off himself) before converting the resulting penalty.

But 11 minutes later, County were back on level terms when they too were awarded a spot-kick after Darren Stephenson was brought down by James Curtis and Jason Oswell netted from the spot.

Just shy of the hour-mark, Oswell put the home side in front from the dge of the area, only for Moors to level within 2 minutes by Rob Ramshaw, who converted Chris Mason's through-ball.

What proved to be the winner for Stockport came 10 minutes later when Dan
Cowan's cross was headed in by a diving Oswell to complete his hat-trick and his 20th goal in all competitions to date.

Oswell almost added a fourth in the 77th minute, but Moors keeper Shane Bland tipped over his shot from just inside the box.

And then 3 minutes later, Spennymoor subs Mark Anderson and Andrew Johnson combined before the latter`s curling effort hit the bar as the visitors came mighty close to equalising.

The other game at Broadhurst Park saw a crowd of 1,893 witness a 1-1 draw between FC United and second-placed Brackley Town.

The first half finished goalless but was entertaining fare for a freezing cold afternoon.

The deadlock was broken though after 58 minutes when a free-kick was knocked into the FC United box and headed across by Alex Gudger for Jimmy Armson to score past Lloyd Allinson.

FC United were well in the game though and eventually pulled back on level terms 7 minutes from time when Brackley were penalised for handball in the box and Steve Irwin beat Danny Lewis from the resulting penalty.