Saturday's First Division North action review

Curzon Ashton moved a point clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North table on Saturday after a 2-0 win at Moor Lane against Salford City, while Warrington Town were held to a goalless draw at Cammell Laird, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Despite being out of action for a month Salford’s spectators were hoping for a competitive performance against their perennial bogey side Curzon, but in the event the visitors were able to stroll to a two-goal victory.

The Ammies might claim ill fortune as Curzon’s strikes came courtesy of an own goal from Dave Chadwick in the seventh minute and a penalty converted by Matty Warburton in the 57th minute but the visitors had four or five more good chances to score with Salford not threatening Hakan Burton’s goal at all.

Warrington dropped two more points in their push for promotion in a goalless draw at Kirklands.

After last week's home humbling at the hands of title rivals Curzon Ashton, Shaun Reid's side lost top spot as they failed to break down the hosts. They ended strongest, in what was an end-to-end final 20 minutes, but failed to create many clear cut chances.

Darlington 1883 recorded their tenth successive away league win at Padiham.

Goals from David Dowson in the 14th minute and Nathan Fisher on 68 minutes ensured the Quakers quickly recovered from the midweek defeat to Lancaster City - a result that ended a twelve-game unbeaten run.

Darlo remain fourth in the table, but Farsley AFC’s loss at Throstle Nest against Kendal Town means the Quakers have closed the gap on third place to one point.

It`s two defeats in a row for Farsley following Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat away to Skelmersdale United in the League Cup.

Farsley went into this game without a league defeat since November 16th, whereas Kendal had yet to win in 2014. Just before half-time Kendal took the lead when Danny Mitchley was put through on goal, had his shot saved and tucked away the rebound.

Kendal doubled their lead with 15 minutes to go when Danny Mitchley’s shot was saved and Callum Hoctor fired home the rebound. With less than eight minutes to go Farsley got back in the game when a Danny Hull cross looped into the far top corner.

Lancaster followed up their win at Darlington in midweek by edging out Mossley AFC 2-1 at the Giant Axe.

Jordan Connerton gave the Dolly Blues a 42nd minute lead that Richard Bennett cancelled out just three minutes later. Ten minutes into the second half Gavin Clark scored what proved to be City`s winner to keep them fifth in the table.

Ramsbottom United are just a point behind after securing a 3-0 win at Valerie Park against lowly Prescot Cables, who are looking over their shoulders at the bottom of the table now.

Lee Gaskell bagged a quickfire brace in two minutes midway through the first half. And a minute before half-time Scott Burton made it 3-0 and game over.

Bamber Bridge`s interest in the play-off race took a blow when a Chris Ovington goal six minutes after the break saw them beaten 1-0 at Ingfield by Ossett Town, who are five points behind Brig, but have played a couple of games more.

Town`s close neighbours, Ossett Albion, are just about still alive, despite being seven points adrift of the safety-mark.

They achieved a 2-2 draw at New Mills, who themselves are only six points clear of the drop zone, although they have a couple of games in hand on most around them.

Melford Knight gave the Millers the lead right on half-time Caldon Henson equalised on 73 minutes, but Wes Bancroft`s 83rd minute second looked to have won it for the hosts, only for Henson to pop up with a last-gasp leveller.

Wakefield slipped back into second-bottom spot after they were beaten 1-0 at Burscough, for whom veteran Mark Beesley scored the only goal six minutes after half-time, while Radcliffe Borough, who occupied second-bottom spot before kick-off, earned a point from a 2-2 draw at Station View against Harrogate Railway.

Nathan Cartman broke the deadlock to give Rail a 54th minute lead that James Mullineux cancelled out in the 67th minute. Elliot Rokka looked to have earned Boro all three points when he scored in the 86th minute – only for Fatlum Ibrahimi to grab an equaliser two minutes later.

The day`s other game saw Northwich Victoria secure a 3-0 home win over Clitheroe with goals from Gary Burnett after seven minutes and then two more in the final 10 minutes from Aboubacar Sanogo and Burnett again.