Boxing Day's Premier Division action review

On a day when surprisingly few matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division failed to get the referees' nod, North Ferriby United maintained their one-point advantage over Hednesford Town at the summit, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Ferriby won by the odd goal at Frickley Athletic, who came back from being two-down after Ryan Kendall had broken the deadlock by putting the visitors in front three minutes after half-time and then on-loan striker Anthony Wilson doubled their lead on 65 minutes.

Chris Howarth replied immediately for the hosts and then Gavin Allott's penalty on 72 minutes restored parity. But with less than two minutes to go, Kendall popped up with what could prove to be a vital winner for Billy Heath's men.

Hednesford won by the only goal of the game in the derby at Marston Road against Stafford Rangers. Aaron Rey was the Pitmen's goal hero, netting the winner 13 minutes from time in front of a crowd of 1,124.

The top two were aided by a defeat for Marine and Witton Albion's game at Gigg Lane against FC United of Manchester being abandoned after only 10 minutes due to a worsening pitch.

The Mariners went down to a 1-0 defeat at Victory Park against Chorley, for whom the now permanently secured Darren Stephenson scored on the hour-mark.

Worksop Town moved into the top five after a hard-fought 3-2 success against Grantham Town at Sandy Lane.

The Gingerbreads' new bosses saw their side take a 31st minute lead through Karl Demidh, only for the Tigers' new permanent recruit, big Tom Denton, to equalise five minutes later. Leon Mettam put the hosts' ahead five minutes after half-time, only for Ben Saunders to pull the visitors back on level terms eight minutes later. But 19 minutes from time an Ashley Burbeary penalty proved to be enough for the Tigers.

Biggest winners of the day were Buxton, who hammered second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels 7-0 at Silverlands.

Mark Reed and Matt Thornhill completed hat-tricks, while Kyle Nix also got in on the act. Stocksbridge ended the game with nine-men following a straight red card for ex-Buxton defender Tommy Agus and then, having used all their substitutes, they lost midfielder Will Senior to injury.

Ilkeston FC won the derby at Coronation Park against basement side Eastwood Town to move up to thirteenth in the table.

Matt Richards gave the Robins a 12th minute lead in front of a decent crowd of 512 and then Steve Smith doubled their advantage 15 minutes later. Right on half-time Richards added his second and Ilkeston's third, but four minutes after the break Paulo Piliero gave the Badgers hope. However, Aaron Hooton quickly extinguished that hope by netting the visitors` fourth six minutes later.

Kendal Town's fall down the table continued after a 4-0 drubbing at AFC Fylde.

Jack Dorney enjoyed himself with a brace in the the 54th and 68th after Bradley Barnes had given them the lead on 29 minutes - Michael Barnes completing the scoring 18 minutes from time.

Matlock Town pulled further away from the drop zone after a fine win at Dales Lane against Rushall Olympic by the same scoreline.

Lewis McMahon gave the Gladiators an 18th minute lead from the spot and then three goals in a 9-minute spell in the second half killed off the Pics. In-demand Massiah McDonald doubled the visitors' lead on 66 minutes and then on-loan Jacob Hazel made it 3-0 just three minutes later, with McDonald notching his second and Matlock's fourth on 75 minutes.

The only drawn game on Boxing Day came at Croft Park where Blyth Spartans and Whitby Town shared the spoils.

But the Seasiders will be disappointed to have thrown away a 2-0 lead given to them by former Spartan Graeme Armstrong in the fifth and 30th minutes. Andy Jennings began the fight back with an audacious lob from 30 yards after 72 minutes and less than a minute later the home side were back on level terms through Ryan McGorrigan.