Problems pile up

"I think this was the first time the problems off the field at the club have unsettled the players," he said.

"We were losing 2-0 at half time, and I didn't think there was any point in having a go at them, because their minds weren't on the game.

"Hopefully, the players can pick themselves up for the visit of the league leaders on Wednesday night."

Martin Crowder and Liam Gedman scored twice inside nine minutes in the first half, and after that Moors weren't in it.

Play was stopped for a few minutes in the second half because of a snowstorm, but that didn't stop Burscough adding further goals through Crowder (2) and Liam Blakeman.

Bishop Auckland, meanwhile, gave themselves a huge boost by beating Ossett Town 1-0.

"We're certainly a much better team now than we were at the start of the season," said manager Brian Honour.

"The new players are fitting in very well, and our last two performances have been much improved.

"If there was a downside to the game, it was that we didn't score any more goals just to relieve the pressure a little later in the game."

Mark Sheeran hit the post early on and then Tony Woodhouse and Steve Bell both missed good chances for Bishops in the first half. They finally broke through on 50 minutes when Woodhouse ran through and pulled the ball back for Sheeran to force home.

Bishops held on after that, and should have increased their lead, while Dale Roberts pulled off a good save late in the game to keep them in front.

Bishops are now eight points away from safety.

Gateshead won 2-1 at home to Wakefield Emley, who had two men sent off for violent conduct. Adam Smith and David Colvin put Gateshead 2-0 up before Wakefield scored late on.

Blyth have now gone two months without a league win after they were beaten 1-0 at Lincoln United.

Whitby's promotion chase is back on track after they won 2-0 at Witton Albion, with last minute goals by Liam Gildea and new signing Griff Jones.