Boxing Day's Premier Division review

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division leaders Skelmersdale United remain four points clear at the top of the table after a 3-2 success at fellow promotion-contenders AFC Fylde on Boxing Day, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Coasters were looking for their first league win in four matches and made the perfect start through Bradley Barnes' eighth minute header. But a penalty 20 minutes later won and scored by Jack Laird made the scores level at half-time.

A sucker-punch of a goal 36 seconds into the second half from former Fylde midfielder Ashley Dunn gave Skem the lead but Adam Sumner scored a screamer of an equaliser with 16 minutes to go. However, that lead lasted less than 90 seconds as, straight from the re-start, Matty Hughes found a way through the defence to restore his side's lead.

Marine went down 1-0 to Chorley at the Arriva Stadium in front of their best gate of the season to date - 534.

Phil Brazier’s men matched the title-challenging Magpies for most of the game and might well have earned a point on another day, but just couldn’t find a way past the meanest defence in the league to find an equaliser. The only goal of the game came seconds before the break, Josh Hine crossing from the right with Paul Jarvis getting a toe to the ball to direct it in to the net.

Worksop Town are third after going nap at Sandy Lane against neighbouring Ilkeston FC.

In front of another 500-plus crowd, Leon Mettam led the way for the Tigers with a hat-trick in the 11th, 15th and 61st minutes – all after Gary Ricketts had given the Robins a 6th minute lead. Conor Higginson after 57 minutes and Tom Denton a minute from time were also on target to stretch the Tigers unbeaten league run to eleven games.

A crowd of 1,008 at Hurst Cross saw Ashton United put a dent into FC United of Manchester's promotion drive with a 2-1 win.

Michael Norton opened the scoring to give FC United a 39th minute lead. But with 10 minutes to go Ton Davies handled on the goalline and was sent-off, Gary Gee gaining a deserved equaliser from the resultant penalty. And then five minutes from time Dale Johnson scrambled home Ashton's winner.

Whitby Town are now only a couple of points off the top five after a 2-1 win against Blyth Spartans at the Turnbull Ground.

Rob Dale gave Spartans a 22nd minute lead that Shane Henry cancelled out for the Seasiders on the half-hour mark. And the winner came three minutes from time from former Spartan Graeme Armstrong.

For a second successive Boxing Day, King's Lynn Town's Ryan Fryatt was sent-off. The young defender – dismissed last season at Brigg Town – was red carded as the Linnets crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Stamford AFC at Kettering Road.

Fryatt was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity in the 41st minute when Stamford were already ahead, thanks to Jon Challinor's early fifth minute goal. And with about 50 minutes left to play they were always fighting a losing battle. Challinor bagged his second with almost the last kick of the first half and while the visitors responded well after the interval, Daniel Lawlor made it three on 71 minutes to seal the Daniel’s triumph.

Rushall Olympic increased Witton Albion's fears at the bottom end of the table after a 2-0 Dales Lane success. Ahmed Obeng gave the Pics a 26th minute lead that Josh Craddock eventually doubled in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Another surprise struggler, Stafford Rangers, were well-beaten at the Weaver Stadium by mid-table Nantwich Town.

Osebi Abadaki gave the Dabbers a 13th minute lead that Andy Griffiths cancelled out almost immediately. But three minutes after half-time Ben Deegan restored the hosts' lead and then Steve Foster on 67 minutes and an Aaron Burns penalty 13 minutes from time, sealed a comfortable win for Danny Johnson's side.

Managerless Grantham Town picked up a useful point from a 2-2 draw at Barwell.

Michael Towey gave the Gingerbreads a 16th minute lead that Kevin Charley levelled just before half-time. Kyle Dixon put the visitors back in front 10 minutes after the break, only for Luke Barlone to pop up with the Canaries` equaliser nine minutes from time.

Droylsden remain winless after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Trafford, for whom Callum Jones scored three minutes after half-time.

Gavin Allott struck a stoppage time winner as Frickley Athletic twice came from behind at second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels to record a 4-3 win and extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.

The win was the Blues' first away league win of the season, coming back from Stocksbridge taking a 10th minute lead through Nathan Joynes. Tyler Collishaw scored his first goal for the club to equalise on 21 minute only for former Frickley player Danny South to restore Steels' lead two minute later.

Allott equalised from the penalty spot five minute before half-time and Luke Hinsley headed the Blues into the lead nine minutes after the break only for South to equalise from the penalty spot on 61 minutes. But Allott struck his winner as the game entered the second minute of stoppage time.

Buxton's game with Matlock Town was called off at half-time with the score at 1-1.

Derek Niven had given the Bucks the lead on six minutes but the visitors hit back and levelled through Shaun Tuton on 35 minutes. But the floodlights refused to fully ignite after the break leaving the referee with little option but to abandon the match.