PICTURES: Rossington Main face battle to preserve NCEL status

Main’s home clash with play-off hopefuls Penistone was one of only three NCEL games to survive.

However, it was disappointing afternoon for Lee Holmes’ side as the visitors ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.

Danny Barlow marked his last game for Penistone before moving to Australia by firing his side into a 22nd minute lead.

Danny Howes doubled the advantage seven minutes before the interval.

Lewis Dickinson put the game out of Rossington’s reach with the third just before the hour mark, before Oliver Fearon rounded off the scoring on 70 minutes.

Rossington remain 18th in Division One.

They have 22 points from 32 games, seven clear of the bottom two.

But they have played more games than the four teams below them with the exception of rock bottom Lincoln Moorlands Railway, who look favourites to fill one of the two relegation slots.

Holmes’ side have ten games left to preserve their NCEL status and home form could be key during the run-in.

With no game this weekend, Main’s first of their five remaining games at Oxford Street comes against Teversal on February 20.

The other four home matches include meetings with relegation rivals Winterton Rangers and Grimsby Borough, along with mid-table Dronfield Town and then Selby Town in the final home game of the season.

Three or four wins between now and the end of the season, which would take them through the 30-mark barrier, should be enough to preserve Main’s NCEL status.