MIDFIELDER Dave McTiernan set one up then scored twice as Whitby Town moved to within three points of the Evo-Stik league premier division top five thanks to a 3-1 win over Nantwich Town.

Darren Williams' men were full value for Saturday's home victory, which lifted them up into ninth position in the table ahead of the midweek fixtures.

Williams made one change to the side that crashed 4-0 at high-flying Ramsbottom United last Tuesday, with playmaker Lee Mason available again and back in for Callum Hassan.

They started off second best, with lowly Nantwich defying their poor form early on and going close several times, but the Blues nevertheless took the lead on 18 minutes against the run of play when McTiernan's lovely through ball set up Matty Waters to finish smartly in off a post with their first real effort on goal.

McTiernan doubled the lead with a penalty after 31 minutes after Dabbers skipper Matt Bailey fouled Steven Snaith in the box.

Whitby seemed in control but the second half again began with the visitors on top before McTiernan scored his second goal of the game on 61 minutes.

Nantwich soon pulled a goal back from the penalty spot as Whitby's stand-in right-back, Liam Shepherd, pushed winger Iain Howard, who netted the spot kick.

The crowd was 256.

Whitby have an early chance to avenge last Tuesday's loss when they entertain Ramsbottom in FA Trophy first round qualifying on Saturday (3pm).

On Monday they are back in league action when to travel to another high-riding side, Curzon Ashton (7.45pm).

Scarborough Athletic were denied a comeback win at New Mills on Saturday as the lowly hosts netted a last-minute penalty to earn a 3-3 draw.

Boro, sitting in the play-off places in Evo-Stik League division one north, trailed 2-0 at the interval to the side lying joint bottom of the table, but turned it around with three goals in a six-minute salvo midway through the second half - only for the hosts to level through Daniel Grimshaw's late spot-kick.

Porya Ahmadi had got both of their first goals - after six and 26 minutes - but the Seadogs improved in the second period and two goal in two minutes brought them level - Jimmy Beadle heading them back into the game and Gary Bradshaw equalising.

They soon led 3-2 thanks to a second Beadle goal - this time from the spot - but they could not hold on and will consider it two points lost rather than one gained.

On Saturday, Scarborough can expect their largest crowd so far this season when they entertain table-toppers Darlington 1883 in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy (3pm).

They are back in league action on Monday when they go to Harrogate Railway Athletic (7.45pm).