Saturday's First Division North action review

Only four points separate the top three in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North table after Saturday's round of games, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Table-toppers Skelmersdale United were held to a 1-1 draw at New Mills and long-time leaders Mossley were held 2-2 at home by lowly Wakefield, leaving Trafford to move above the Lilywhites into second spot after winning 3-1 at Burscough.

Dave Fitzpatrick gave New Mills an early fifth minute lead against Skem, whose Mattie Hughes equalised five minutes after half-time.

At Seel Park, Sam Madeley put Mossley in front after 19 minutes and, after Caldon Henson had levelled on 42 minutes, restored the home side's lead less than a minute later. But Henson's second of the game eight minutes from time salvaged a point for the Yorkshire visitors.

Trafford had a hat-trick hero at Burscough, but this time it wasn't top scorer Michael Oates but Shelton Payne. He scored in the 12th, 24th and 77th minutes, the third from the penalty spot, with David Lynch replying for the Linnets five minutes after half-time.

Fourth-placed Clitheroe were also held at home, 2-2 by Salford City, whose Nathan McDonald scored twice – the first after 41 minutes and the second in injury-time after Daley Woods had given the home side a 2-0 lead with goals in the 30th and 38th minutes.

Fifth-placed Ramsbottom United had a convincing 4-0 win at home against Harrogate Railway Athletic where Jon Robinson on 23 minutes and a Phil Dean brace on 42 and 45 minutes – the second from the spot – gave Rammie a 3-0 interval lead. Anthony Johnson added to their haul 10 minutes from time.

Curzon Ashton, Farsley FC and Warrington Town are just three points adrift of Ramsbottom, with Curzon beating Farsley by the odd goal in five at the Tameside Stadium to move level on points with them.

Simeon Bambrook put Farsley in front from the spot after 22 minutes. Sam Walker levelled on 34 minutes, only for Bambrook to score his and Farsley's second on 65 minutes. Scott Metcalfe pulled the hosts back on terms eight minutes from time and then Kristian Dennis won it in stoppage time.

Warrington could only manage a 1-1 draw at lowly Prescot Cables, whose Liam Dawson gave them a 50th minute lead that John Miles eventually cancelled out 15 minutes from the end.

Cammell Laird are a further point behind those three clubs and they beat Bamber Bridge 3-2 at home, taking a 14th minute lead through Freddie Potter. But the Lairds then found themselves 2-1 down to goals from Andy Bell in the 19th and 23rd minutes.

Help was at hand though, Jamie Henders equalising in the 32nd minute and Mike Grogan winning it for Laird with eight minutes remaining.

Garforth Town are finally off the bottom and are replaced by Ossett Albion after beating them 1-0 at Dimple Wells.

Albion goalkeeper Jody Barford saved an early spot-kick and when Garforth had a player dismissed it looked as though the points were Ossett's for the taking. But the ten-men raised their game and got the decisive goal seven minutes from time, Brett Mbalanda grabbing the winner before Albion were also reduced to ten-men.

It was a bad day all round for Ossett as Town also lost, 2-0 at another of the strugglers, Goole AFC, whose Grant Allott and Bill Law netted in the 37th and 56th minutes respectively.

And Kevin Sanasy after 21 minutes and Sam Freakes on the hour-mark were on target for Radcliffe Borough at Stainton Park against Lancaster City.