Monday's First North action review

Darlington 1883 lost the leadership of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North table on Monday night at the Tameside Stadium after being beaten 1-0 by Curzon Ashton who replaced them at the top, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 462, boosted by a good number of Quakers fans, saw the visitors miss several chances and were also unfortunate as Chris Moore twice hit the woodwork.

Curzon, who were beaten at Southern League Premier Division Stourbridge in the FA Cup on Saturday, are yet to taste defeat in the league and weathered the storm to score what proved to be the only goal of the game with 17 minutes remaining. Darlington keeper Mark Bell saved Jonathan Hunt’s initial header from point-blank range but Simon Woodford was on hand to pounce on the rebound.

Elsewhere, Farsley FC and Northwich Victoria both failed to force their way into the top five on Monday.

Farsley were held to a goalless draw at Throstle Nest by Bamber Bridge, while Northwich, who were held to a draw by Farsley on Saturday, were beaten 2-1 at Station View by Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Rail took an early seventh minute lead through Jesus Martin-Farina but Gary Burnett managed a 69th minute leveller for the visitors. That looked like being it, until stoppage time when Lawrence Hunter pounced to grab Rail's winner.

Radcliffe Borough are still second-bottom but recorded back-to-back 3-0 wins, this time away from home against New Mills.

Matt Landregan gave Boro a 12th minute lead from the spot – a penalty he'd earned himself. Shortly after that the Millers went down to ten-men when Melford Knight was shown a straight red when his challenge on Caldon Henson was deemed reckless. Brad Robinson doubled Boro's lead two minutes before half-time and then made the points safe with his second and the visitors third on the hour-mark.