Saturday's First Division North action review

By David Watters

EVO-STIK NPL First Division North

It`s a three-way tie at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North table following Saturday`s results Darlington 1883 took over leadership after overnight table-toppers Northwich Victoria were held to a goalless draw at home by Mossley AFC, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Quakers were 2-0 winners at Heritage Park in front of another good crowd of 842. But it wasn`t until the 69th minute that Gary Brown gave the home side the breakthrough they craved. David Dowson settled the nerves with a second in the final minute.

Salford City joined the top two after being guided to a 2-1 Moor Lane victory over Kendal Town by former Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Phil Neville.

The ex-England duo were in caretaker charge following the departure on Friday of manager Phil Power and they saw Bohan Dixon give the Ammies a 22nd minute lead. Sam Madeley doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark, but they were made to sweat when Zach Clark pulled one back for the Mintcakes seven minutes from time.

Fourth-placed Droylsden had to make do with just one point from their trip to Valerie Park to play third-bottom Prescot Cables, Liam Dodd giving the home side the lead right on half-time before Andy Fowler equalised on the hour-mark.

Scarborough Athletic moved level on points with the Bloods in fifth after edging out fellow play-off contenders Spennymoor Town 1-0 at Queensgate in front of a crowd of 478 – Jimmy Beadle winning it for Boro in the 32nd minute.

Harrogate Railway recovered from a New Year`s Day loss to fellow play-off contenders Farsley AFC to move into sixth place after a 2-1 derby win at Station View against an Ossett Albion side who had won their previous two matches.

Top marksman Nathan Cartman gave Rail the boost of an early third minute lead that Malachi Farquharson doubled nine minutes later. Ross Hardaker reduced the arrears on 24 minutes but Albion weren`t able to find a leveller.

Railway moved above Farsley and Bamber Bridge, who both lost on Saturday.

Second-bottom New Mills shocked Farsley with only their third win of the season to date, breaking the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Jake Pollard and then winning it in injury-time through Deren Bozkurt after Adam Priestley had equalised just thre minutes earlier.

Brig were beaten 1-0 at the Giant Axe by inconsistent Lancaster City, for whom Matthew Poole scored the only goal in stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Warrington Town – still playing catch-up after their FA Cup run – won 3-1 at Burscough with goals from Craig Robinson after 39 minutes, Ben Wharton a minute after the break and Ashley Ruane on 67 minutes – Jordan Williams replying nine minutes from time.

Ossett Town ended a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 Ingfield victory over bottom-markers Padiham, thanks to Steve Jeffs on the half-time whistle.

Clitheroe won 4-0 at Radcliffe Borough`s Stainton Park to leave their hosts looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.

Rob Bonaminio on 38 minutes and then a Sefton Gonzales brace in the 48th and 54th minutes killed Boro off, with Jason Hart adding a fourth on 69 minutes.

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