Saturday's First Division North action review

That was because leaders Northwich Victoria, the second highest scorers in the division, were held to a goalless draw at home by a now sixth-placed Clitheroe.

The Wire narrowed the gap on points as well as goal difference, courtesy of going nap at Cantilever Park.

Ali Brown after 10 minutes and Ben Deegan two minutes before the break gave them a 2-0 interval cushion. But Dan O`Donnell on 52 minutes, Ciaran Kilheeney on 68 minutes and a second for Deegan 17 minutes from time, sealed a comfortable win for Sean Reid`s side.

Ossett Albion, Glossop North End and Burscough occupy the remaining top five spots at Christmas.

Surprise package Albion won the Yorkshire derby at Station View 3-1 against Harrogate Railway Athletic with a brace from Rob Bordman after three and 16 minutes and Danny South after 24 minutes, threatening a hammering. But Rail recovered, pulled one back through Jack Stockdill on 31 minutes and held Albion to 0-0 in the second half.

A crowd of 317 saw Glossop lose 1-0 at home to Burscough, for whom Will Jones scored the only goal 19 minutes from time.

Spennymoor Town, with games in hand, will feel they dropped two points in only managing a 1-1 home draw with Lancaster City, who looked to have won it when leading through Jacob Gregory`s 54th minute effort going into the last minute when Nathan Fisher rescued a point for Moors.

Bottom-markers New Mills took their goals-against column to 72 after losing 5-2 at Valerie Park against Prescot Cables, whose James Edgar netted a hat-trick, topped and tailed by a Rob Doran brace – Ashley Woodhead and Tyrone Allen replying.

Farsley Celtic won by the same scoreline away at Ingfield against Ossett Town with only a 42nd minute Paddy Miller goal for Celtic separating the teams at the break.

But Lewis Nightingale with two and Paul Walker, stretched the visitors` lead to 4-0 before David Brown pulled one back. Ross Daly immediately restored Farsley`s four-goal lead that Josh Moore reduced by one in stoppage time.

Witton Albion did even better as they struck a blow to Brighouse Town`s play-off chances with a 5-1 away win.

Albion trailed at the break after Ryan Hall had given the home side the lead right on half-time. But instead of that being a downer for the visitors, they came out and hit five without reply with Alex Titchener equalising on the hour-mark, Jon Dawson, Jamie Mernagh and a Rob Hopley brace completing the rout.

Troubled Kendal Town were beaten 2-0 at Parkside Road by Trafford, whose Mitch Duggan after 75 minutes and recent signing Andrew Watson eight minutes from time, were on target.

Radcliffe Borough pulled themselves five points clear of danger with a good 3-1 win at Irongate against Bamber Bridge, with experienced striker Steve Foster bagging a brace in the 47th and 58th minutes after Sam Fitzgerald had given his side a 30th minute lead – Stuart Vasey replying six minutes from time.

No respite for out-of-sorts Scarborough Athletic, beaten 4-2 at the Butcher`s Arms by Droylsden, whose Domaine Rouse gave them an early third minute lead that Fernando Moke cancelled out after 17 minutes. Joe Fox scored Boro`s second in injury-time at the end of the game, but by then Will Hasler-Gregg, James Hampson and Lee O`Brien had all scored for the Bloods.

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