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Michael Rankine

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Saturday's Blue Square Premier wrap

York closed in on league-leaders Oxford and second-placed Stevenage with a 1-0 win over Kettering, while Histon played out a six-goal thriller with Hayes and Yeading.

The Minstermen had Michael Rankine to thank for moving to within a point off their top-of-the-table rivals, with his 16th-minute shot enough to down the Poppies.

It was a telling result as Tamworth ousted Stevenage 1-0 courtesy of a Chris Smith effort. Ronnie Henry and Darren Murphy both received their marching orders for Boro in what was a heated affair at the Lamb Ground.

It was also not the best of evenings for leaders Oxford, who had to settle for a share of the spoils in a goalless draw with Kidderminster.

There was no such boredom at Altrincham though, as the hosts hit five unanswered goals past Salisbury.

Greg Young kicked off proceedings in the 16th minute, before Nicky Clee doubled the lead for the Robins. After the half-time break, Salisbury tried to fight their way back into the game, but Shaun Densmore added a third before Chris Senior bagged a brace in the last ten minutes.

The game of the weekend was the mid-table battle between Histon and Hayes and Yeading with both sides netting three goals apiece in an attack-packed 90 minutes.

Daniel Wright got the six-goal epic underway from the penalty spot in the 14th minute, before Craig Watkins levelled matters.

Minutes before the interval, Matthew Langston restored Histon's lead, but Andrejs Stolcers pulled Hayes and Yeading back into the clash on the 62-minute mark.

The visitors then assumed pole position in the game for the first time through Scott P Fitzgerald, but nine minutes later - on the stroke of full-time, Lee Smith ensured Histon would walk away with a point.

The shock of Saturday's action came in front of over 7000 fans at Field Mill as Gateshead overcame play-off chasing Mansfield thanks to a double from Brian Wake.

Results in full:

AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Forest Green

Altrincham 5-0 Salisbury

Barrow 0-1 Luton

Chester 1-2 Ebbsfleet United

Crawley Town 1-0 Cambridge Utd

Eastbourne Borough 2-1 Wrexham

Grays Athletic 0-3 Rushden & D'monds

Histon v Hayes 3-3 Yeading

Kettering 0-1 York

Mansfield 0-2 Gateshead

Oxford Utd 0-0 Kidderminster

Tamworth 1-0 Stevenage