Saturday's First Division North action review

The EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division North title race is really hotting up after Saturday's round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Leaders Salford City suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat at lower mid-table Brighouse Town.

A season's best crowd of 515 saw Leon Henry give the Yorkshire side a 20th minute lead that Gareth Seddon cancelled out a minute before half-time. But an Ernest Boafo penalty just before the hour-mark and then Ryan Hall on 66 minutes sealed Salford's fate.

Second-placed Darlington 1883 and third-placed Northwich Victoria bboth won to close the gap on the Ammies to just three points – with the Quakers having no less than five games in hand on both.

They won 2-0 at Dimple Wells against Ossett Albion in front of a season's best 519 crowd, thanks to goals from Graeme Armstrong after 27 minutes and Stephen Thompson on 64.

Vics were 3-2 victors at Valerie Park against lowly Prescot Cables, whose Jack Phillips put them in front after 14 minutes.

Gary Burnett eventually levelled nine minutes after the interval, only for James Edgar to restore Cables lead on 69 minutes. Godwin Abadaki pulled Vics back on terms 14 minutes later and then Richard Bennett won it in stoppage time.

Harrogate Railway Athletic are now fourth after winning 2-1 at Irongate against Bamber Bridge with goals from Fatlum Ibrahimi after 14 minutes and Steve Bromley on 33 minutes – Ali Waddecar having equalised on 27 minutes.

Droylsden's 1-0 defeat at Parkside against Kendal Town, courtesy of Greg Johnstone's 70th minute effort, saw the Bloods taken over by Railway and Spennymoor Town, who won 1-0 at home against second-bottom New Mills, thanks to a goal five minutes before half-time from Andy Stephenson in front of a crowd of 443.

Scarborough Athletic's game at Farsley AFC was called off while Mossley AFC remain outsiders for a top five challenge after beating Ossett Town 3-0 at Seel Park.

Tom Pratt gave the Lilywhites a 15th minute lead that was added to three minutes later by Kyle McGonigle – Pratt adding his second and Mossley's third six minutes before half-time.

Elsewhere, Warrington Town may just have too much to do to catch up this season, but won 2-1 at Cantilever Park against Lancaster City with goals from Chris Gahgan after 48 minutes and Scott Metcalfe from the spot on 66 minutes – Aaron Taylor replying eight minutes from time.

Bottom-markers Padiham won for the first time since October 25 and for only the third time in total after a 2-1 home win over fellow strugglers Radcliffe Borough.

Bobby Langford gave the Storks a morale-boosting a second minute lead that Mark Sharples doubled after 57 minutes. And they held on, despite Sam Cook's 75th minute reply. The Storks remain ten points adrift of the safety-mark despite the win.

Clitheroe and Burscough shared a 1-1 draw in Saturday's other game, with Jason Hart equalising Ed Toner's 41st minute opener for the Linnets with less than three minutes to go.