Easter Monday's Premier Division action review

The top game between leaders Blyth Spartans and fifth-placed Workington AFC, saw the hosts triumph 3-0 to move four points clear of second-placed Darlington 1873, who were due to play Whitby but saw their game called off.

A crowd of 1,009 at Croft Park saw Nathan Buddle give the hosts a 10th minute lead that Robbie Dale extended, firstly on the half-hour mark and then four minutes after the break.

It was a meeting of old friends and team-mates at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium but visiting Salford City weren`t in the mood to do the bottom-markers any favours.

The third-placed Ammies won 4-0, courtesy of goals from recent signing Billy Priestley after 36 minutes, Gary Stopforth five minutes before the break and then a Dylan Smith own goal after 56 minutes. Jordan Hulme four minutes before the end sealed a comfortable win for the visitors and almost end Rammy`s relegation nightmare.

Ashton United also won 4-0 away from home at Tameside neighbours Hyde United to stay in fourth spot, while the Tigers are far from out of the relegation picture, now being just three points clear of the drop zone.

It took an hour for the visitors to make the breakthrough, thanks to on-loan James Dean. But that led to Chris Baguley goals after 70 minutes and a Matty Chadwick brace after 85 and 88 minutes.

Ashton are now six points clear of sixth-placed Stourbridge after the Glassboys were beaten 2-0 at neighbouring Halesowen Town in front of a terrific crowd of 2,107 at The Grove.

Goals from substitutes Dan Sweeney after 38 minutes and new signing Dumitru Chiriac 10 minutes from time saw the Yeltz come out on top, although the Glassboys` Karl Hawley missed a penalty soon after the opener.

Nantwich Town's backlog of games due to their FA Trophy run may prove too tough for them to mount a top five challenge but their 1-0 win at Stormy Corner against Skelmersdale United kept them in with a shout, Elliot Osborne`s 73rd minute penalty proving decisive for the Dabbers.

Colwyn Bay were looking to take advantage of fellow strugglers Whitby and Stamford AFC being inactive to close the gap between at the bottom but a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Marine AFC leaves them nine points adrift of the safety-mark with only eight games remaining.

Danny Mitchley after seven minutes and James Short on 22 minutes gave the Mariners breathing space and then Charlie Barnett made the points safe on 65 minutes to lift the visitors three points clear of the bottom four.

Mickleover Sports moved out of that bottom quartet after a fine 2-0 win at neighbouring Ilkeston FC, the crucial goals both coming in the final 10 minutes from Niall Thompson and John McGrath.

Matlock Town still need to keep an eye over their shoulders at the bottom end of the table after a 3-0 defeat at Silverlands at the hands of Buxton leaves the Gladiators only seven points in front of the drop zone.

Bradley Barraclough gave the Bucks a 37th minute lead that Nicky Walker doubled four minutes later. And Walker`s second of the game in the 69th minute sealed the points.

An excellently struck 70th minute goal from Dylan Burns saw Grantham Town win 1-0 at The Meres against Frickley Athletic, while Jean-Michael Gueyes did likewise for Sutton Coldfield Town at Dales Lane to beat Rushall Olympic.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/