Easter Monday's Premier Division review

North Ferriby United took another stride towards the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division title on Easter Monday when they won 1-0 at Blyth Spartans, while second-placed Hednesford Town were held to a 2-2 draw at neighbours Rushall Olympic, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Ferriby were grateful to a last-gasp injury-time own goal winner from Wayne Buchanan at Croft Park. A crowd of 602 at Dales Lane saw Dave Walker give the Pics the lead just before half-time against the Pitmen. But Sean O'Connor equalised 13 minutes from time and then Kyle Patterson looked as though he'd won it for Hednesford when he made it 2-1 with less than three minutes to go, only for Wayne Daniel to level two minutes later.

Below the top two the battle is really raging, with seven clubs still in with a shout of making the play-offs.

FC United of Manchester are third after beating third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels 4-0 at Gigg Lane with goals from David Birch after 17 minutes and then Michael Norton on 49 minutes, Ollie Banks on 63 and Greg Daniels ten minutes later in front of a crowd of 1,659.

Rushall are fourth and AFC Fylde fifth after beating another contender, Marine, 2-0 at home with Sean Cooke after 22 minutes and Adam Farrell on 39 minutes on target.

Witton Albion are level on points with Fylde but were beaten 2-1 at the Weaver Stadium by Cheshire neighbours Nantwich Town, whose Harry Clayton put them in front after 23 minutes and then Tom Bentham doubled their advantage right on half-time. Steve Foster reduced the deficit midway through the second half but Albion were unable to find a leveller.

Chorley and Buxton also remain in contention after wins on Monday – the Magpies hammering second-bottom Kendal Town 5-0 with goals from Adam Roscoe after two minutes, Cameron Darkwah on 13 and then Dale Witham, Tom Baker and Darren Stephenson adding second half efforts to make it nap.

Buxton had a tougher test at Silverlands against Matlock Town where Marc Roberts` 19th minute goal proved decisive in the end.

Almost doomed bottom-markers Eastwood Town picked up a rare point from a 2-2 Coronation Park draw with Grantham Town. Rhys Lewis gave the Gingerbreads the lead on the half-hour mark only for Jack Green to equalise five minutes later. Sam Winch's second five minutes into the second half looked like it was going to earn the Badgers only a fourth victory, until Nathan Watson popped up with Grantham's equaliser five minutes from time.

After starting the game strongly Frickley Athletic allowed Whitby Town to come back into the game and score a goal in each half to take the spoils at Westfield Lane. Whitby took the lead with a well-struck shot from David McTiernan after 40 minutes and then Jason Yates put the ball into his own net on 70 minutes to double the Seasiders' lead.

Ilkeston FC won the derby at Sandy Lane against hosts Worksop Town in convincing style. After falling behind to a sixth minute Leon Mettam effort the Robins turned it round with goals from Aaron Hooton in the 20th minute and then Gary Ricketts and a Kane Richards brace in the final quarter.

Stafford Rangers and Ashton United shared a goalless Marston Road draw in the other game played on Monday.