Boxing Day's Premier Division review

Unfortunately, the top of the table game involving leaders Blyth Spartans and second-placed Workington AFC was one of those affected with the Borough Park pitch waterlogged.

That allowed Nantwich Town to reclaim second spot – but they left it late at the Weaver Stadium against struggling Skelmersdale United.

The crowd of 605 had to wait until 2 minutes from time to see Matty Kotylo`s penalty decide the encounter.

The Dabbers were the only side in the top five to play in the end but Buxton moved into seventh spot, just a couple of points behind fifth-placed Darlington 1883 after winning 2-1 at Causeway Lane against Matlock Town.

A crowd of 651 saw Craig Nelthorpe give the home Gladiators a 23rd minute lead that Liam Hardy cancelled out just 10 minutes later. And Bradley Barraclough popped up with the Bucks winner with less than six minutes to go.

Ilkeston FC were one of the teams that Buxton overtook after the Robins were held to a 1-1 draw at Mickleover Sports.

The home side were looking for points to move further clear of the bottom four, but trailed after just five minutes when Matthew Baker put Ilkeston in front. Jake Green equalised after 23 minutes, but that`s how the scoreline remained on a blustery afternoon in Derbyshire.

Barwell are just a point behind Ilkeston in ninth after adding to second-bottom Stamford AFC`s woes.

The Canaries won 2-1 at the Zeeco Arena, courtesy of a Luke Barlone brace in the 13th and 45th minutes, sandwiched by a Gregg Smith reply for the Daniels on the half-hour mark.

The defeat leaves Stamford seven points adrift of the safety mark but their neighbours up the A1, Grantham Town, failed to push further away from trouble after losing 3-1 to Frickley Athletic.

A hat-trick from Jacob Hazel saw the Blues comfortably overcome the Gingerbreads at the SW Jackson Utilities Stadium. Hazel fired the Blues ahead after just 6 minutes and added a second on 42 minutes, capitalising on a defensive mistake. Micky Emmott reduced the arrears on 59 minutes before Hazel added his, and the home side`s third, on 67 minutes.

Stourbridge moved to within a point of tenth-placed visitors Halesowen Town with no less than seven games in hand after winning a best-of-five derby at Amblecote.

A superb crowd of 1,813 saw Mike Turner put the Yeltz ahead after seven minutes, only for Karl Hawley to level five minutes later. Recent signing Kaiman Anderson restored the visitors` advantage six minutes after the break, only for the Glassboys to respond quickly again through Dan Scarr. And then Leon Broadhurst popped up with Stourbridge`s winner four minutes from time.

Sutton Coldfield Town moved above Rushall Olympic into thirteenth after a 2-1 Coles Lane victory.

Aaron Forde put the Royals in front after just six minutes. Luke Benbow equalised from the spot in the 19th minute but Dan O`Callaghan scored what proved to be the home side`s winner 10 minutes into the second half.

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