Monday's First North action review

Curzon Ashton missed the opportunity to move three points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North on Monday night after being held to a 2-2 draw by mid-table Padiham, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Jonathan Hunt gave the home side the boost of a first-minute lead at the Tameside Stadium. However, Padiham recovered their composure and pulled back on level terms in the 27th minute through Ben Allen.

But just before half-time Matty Warburton restored the hosts' advantage. And they held on to that until the 68th minute when Dominic Craig equalised - a goal that eventually earned the Lancastrians a share of the spoils.

Harrogate Railway Athletic are enjoying a much better time of it this season, although their results have been rather inconsistent. But in difficult conditions at Station View, Rail produced their 'positive' side to inflict a 5-0 drubbing on New Mills and move above their visitors into ninth in the table.

The home side got off to a great start with a Steve Bromley goal inside the opening minute. It got worse for the Millers when Danny Douglas-Pringle put the ball past his own keeper to double Rail's lead just six minutes later.

Bromley and then Nathan Cartman, scored either side of the half-time break to virtually kill off New Mills, with former Knaresborough Town striker Bromley completing his hat-trick and making it a nap hand for the Yorkshire side with still only 54 minutes gone on the clock.