Saturday's First Division North action review

By David Watters

EVO-STIK NPL First Division North

Saturday was a strange day for the leaders in the Evo-Stik Northern Premeir League's First Division North as none of the top four managed a victory, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Northwich Victoria still lead the table by a point after they shared a 2-2 draw at Flixton with third-placed Salford City.

Aboubacar Sanogo gave Vics an early seventh minute lead that Phil Edgehill eventually cancelled out on 69 minutes. Ten minutes later the Ammies were in front through new signing Tom Buckley, but the home side equalised in injury-time, thanks to Michael Clarke.

Second-placed Darlington 1883 were also held to a 2-2 home draw by lowly Radcliffe Borough.

A very good crowd of 887 at Heritage Park saw Sam Cook shock the majority by giving Boro a sixth minute lead. It got more serious 12 minutes later when Richard Smith doubled the visitors` lead. However, Graeme Armstrong bagged a brace in the 28th and then 80th minutes to salvage a point for the Quakers.

Fourth-placed Droylsden were beaten 2-1 at Throstle Nest by a now sixth-placed Farsley AFC.

And they had to come back from being a 35th minute Kieron Kenny goal down to win, courtesy of an own goal on 64 minutes from Ali Brown and Aiden Savory`s strike 11 minutes from time.

Scarborough Athletic were the only top five side to win, maintaining their good form under now permanent bosses Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot with a 2-1 Queensgate victory over Mossley AFC.

Veteran Gary Bradshaw broke the deadlock to give Boro the lead on the hour-mark, only for Tom Pratt to level eight minutes later. Matty Plummer won it for the hosts in time added on.

Bamber Bridge and Harrogate Railway both maintained their play-off hopes with good away wins.

Brig won 3-0 at disappointing Warrington Town with goals from Ali Waddecar with two in the 24th and 36th minutes and Andy Bell 17 minutes from the end.

Rail won 4-1 at Yorkshire neighbours Brighouse Town, whose Tom Matthews gave them the lead a minute before half-time.

Adam Baker equalised on 63 minutes and then Matt Heath on 75 minutes, top scorer Nathan Cartman from the spot on 87 minutes and Jesus Martin in stoppage time made it 4-1.

Burscough enjoyed a 4-0 win at Parkside against Kendal Town with a hat-trick from Liam Caddick in the opening six minutes! Will Jones added a fourth a minute after half-time.

Clitheroe went even better at Valerie Park against Prescot Cables – hitting the hosts for six without reply.

Jason Hart bagged a quickfire brace just before the break and then Jason Walker made it 3-0 on 66 minutes. Louis Mayers from the spot on 70 minutes, Richard Burns five minutes later and Sefton Gonzales on 86 minutes completed the rout.

Lancaster City beat bottom-markers Padiham 3-0 with goals from Aaron Taylor after 41 minutes, Neil Marshall on 61 minutes and Taylor again on 69 minutes.

Elsewhere, Ossett Albion moved above neighbours Town after a 1-1 draw at home against Spennymoor United whose Michael Roberts cancelled out Connor Bower`s 33rd minute opener on the hour-mark.

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