Saturday's First Division North action review

With leaders Darlington 1883`s game at Heritage Park being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Saturday was a great chance for the chasing pack to make up ground on the Quakers, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

And all-bar Northwich Victoria did so, including second-placed Salford City, who moved level on points with Darlo after beating Burscough 1-0 at Moor Lane, courtesy of Sam Madeley`s 58th minute effort.

Droylsden are now third after a comprehensive 4-1 win at the Butcher`s Arms against third-bottom Prescot Cables.

Andy Fowler, the Bloods` new signing from NPL Premier Division side Marine AFC, took less than a minute to open up his account and give the home side the lead. And three minutes later it was 2-0 when Ciaran Kilheeney converted a penalty and, after Rob Doran had reduced the deficit for Cables in the 14th minute, Adam Morning made it 3-1 on the half-hour mark.

Droylsden had Kevin Leadbetter dismissed for a lunging tackle, but Fowler still managed to double his tally and make it 4-1 with 17 minutes remaining.

Farsley AFC are fifth after a 3-0 win at Parkside against Kendal Town.

Lewis Nightingale bagged a brace of spot-kicks for the Yorkshire side – the first coming two minutes after half-time and the second after 72 minutes which also saw Mintcakes` keeper Stuart Dixon sent-off for the offence. Gibraltar international Adam Priestley wrapped things up with Farsley`s third five minutes from time.

The exception was Northwich, who lost 2-1 at Station View to Harrogate Railway Athletic, for whom this was a third successive win.

Michael Roddy gave the Vics a 25th minute lead, but in-form Nathan Cartman equalised a minute before half-time and then Lawrence Hunter won it for Rail eight minutes into the second half.

Bamber Bridge are only a couple of points adrift of Farsley in sixth after edging out second-bottom New Mills 2-1 at Irongate.

However, this was a cruel result on the Millers, who led through Danny Caldecott`s 75th minute effort until injury-time when two of Brig`s substitutes, Andy Bell and then Stuart Vasey, popped up with the goals two win it.

Scarborough Athletic are a further three points back after winning 3-0 at bottom-markers Padiham.

Alex Peterson put Boro ahead after 18 minutes and then Jimmy Beadle doubled that just past the half-hour mark. Ryan Blott eventually added a third with a couple of minutes to go.

Elsewhere, FA Cup heroes Warrington Town won by the same scoreline at Ossett Albion, courtesy of goals from recent signing Lee Gaskell after 17 minutes, Tom Hardwick in the 73rd and Louis Corrigan with five minutes remaining.

Brighouse Town made sure it was a bad day for Ossett by beating Town 2-1, thanks to an early goal from Ernest Boafo and a late one from Chris Fisher – Chris Wood`s 47th minute penalty sandwiching them.

And Mossley AFC won 1-0 at Clitheroe with a goal from Andy Keogh five minutes into the second half.