Saturday's First Division North action review

Curzon Ashton extended their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North table to six points with two games in hand over Warrington Town, who could only draw on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Curzon had a 39th minute Ryan Brooke goal to thank for their 1-0 Tameside Stadium victory over mid-table Harrogate Railway Athletic, while the Wire were held to a goalless draw at Cantilever Park by fourth-placed Farsley AFC.

In a game neither side could really afford to lose, it was Farsley who created the better chances, coming the closest early in the second half when a header came back off the bar.

Darlington 1883 sandwich Warrington and Farsley and they beat New Mills 2-0 at Heritage Park.

Two goals by Terry Galbraith after 38 and 41 minutes – the second from the penalty spot - gave the Quakers victory as they moved up to third in the table after an unbeaten run of thirteen of their last fifteen league games.

Lancaster City complete the top five and they beat another contender, Bamber Bridge, 1-0 at Irongate, thanks to an early third minute Jordan Connerton goal that the Dolly Blues clung to.

However, sixth-placed Ramsbottom United suffered a blow when mid-table Cammell Laird beat them 2-0 at the Riverside. Jamie Henders` spot kick after 34 minutes and a John Couch effort 12 minutes into the second half won it for Laird.

Ossett Town`s play-off chances look remote now after they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Stainton Park against third-bottom Radcliffe Borough. Danny Lafferty`s 14th minute opener looked to have won it for Boro before Steve Jeff popped up with an injury-time penalty equaliser for Town.

Ossett`s close neighbours Albion look like needing snookers to avoid the drop back into the Northern Counties East League after a poor game saw a goalless draw against Northwich Victoria at Dimple Wells – Albion`s fourth draw from their last four games.

Second-bottom Wakefield also picked up a point and are now level with Radcliffe on 24 points ater grabbed a last-gasp point at Seel Park against a Mossley AFC outfit who led through Richard Bennett in the 16th minute.

Rob Bordman levelled two minutes later but Tom Pratt looked as though he`d won it for the Lilywhites, his 21st minute goal keeping them in front until time added on when James Coupland grabbed the Lions` leveller.

Padiham are five points clear of the drop zone after twice coming back to earn a point from a 2-2 home draw with Prescot Cables, whose Isaac Kusaloka put them in front after eight minutes.

Louis Mayers levelled on the half-hour mark, only for Phil Bannister to restore Cables` lead 10 minutes after half-time. The Storks earned a share of the spoils through Martin Parkes 17 minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Kendal Town won 2-0 at Parkside against Salford City, thanks to goals from Danny Coid after nine minutes and Maison McGeechan on 22 minutes, while Clitheroe won 4-2 at home against Burscough.

The Blues led 2-0 at the break, courtesy of goals from Blackburn loanee Jordan Preston seven minutes into his debut and Dan Wilkins right on half-time.

Liam Caddick replied six minutes into the second half and then Ed Toner pulled the Linnets back on level terms on 68 minutes. But Oliver McLean on 79 minutes and Sam Heap three minutes from time sealed Clitheroe`s win.