Saturday's First Division North action review

The gap at the top of the table was cut to ten points after second-placed Northwich Victoria edged out leaders Warrington Town by the odd goal in five at Wincham Park in front of a crowd of 514.

Danny Ventre broke the deadlock to give the visitors a 47th minute lead that James Ball cancelled out within four minutes. Richie Bennett then put the Vics ahead on 74 minutes, only for Scott Metcalfe to bring the scores level with eight minutes left to play.

But up popped Michael Clarke to win it for the hosts on 87 minutes and narrow the gap between the teams to ten points with Northwich possessing three games in hand.

Glossop North End pulled to within a point of inactive third-placed Spennymoor Town after winning 3-0 at fifth-placed Burscough.

Astley Mulholland eventually put the Hillians in front seven minutes after the break. David Young doubled that lead after 68 minutes, with Mark Reed making sure six minutes from time.

Ossett Albion`s top five hopes took a 6-1 battering at the Giant Axe against a Lancaster City side who are now only two points adrift of the top five.

It was a great day for the Dolly Blues` Zach Clark, who netted four times, with Billy Akrigg and a debut goal for Bobby Langford accounting for the others – Connor Brunt having equalised for Albion in the 15th minute.

Clitheroe, Farsley Celtic and Trafford are all still in top five contention and all three won on Saturday.

Clitheroe virtually ended Brighouse Town`s hopes with a best-of-seven win across the Pennines.

However, a topsy-turvy game saw the Blues lead 3-0 with goals from Sefton Gonzales after seven minutes, Scott Harries on 15 and Brandon Barski on 19 minutes before the Yorkshire hosts fought back to level.

But despite a Danny Brady own goal on the hour-mark, Daniel Facey two minutes later and then Steve Hollingworth two minutes from time, Gonzales grabbed Clitheroe`s winner in injury-time.

Farsley were comfortable 6-0 winners over fourth-bottom Droylsden.

They were four-up at the break through Aiden Savory, Paddy Miller, Lewis Nightingale and Chris Howarth before Aaron Hardy and Leon Osborne efforts added to their tally in the second half.

Trafford were made to scrap for a best-of-five win at home against still win-less New Mills.

Mitch Bryant gave the home side an early fifth minute lead but they weren`t able to add to that and Danny Douglas-Pringle eventually pulled the Millers back on level terms after 58 minutes.

But Chris McDonagh restored the hosts` lead seven minutes later, only for Ryan Hopper to level again in the 72nd minute. McDonagh`s second six minutes later ensured there was to be no upset.

Second-bottom Harrogate Railway Athletic suffered a 4-2 defeat at Valerie Park to Prescot Cables, for whom Rob Doran bagged all four in the 21st, 24th, 32nd and 40th minutes.

Rail responded through Chris Ovington on 35 minutes and then Danny Barrett right at the death.

Tom Corner bagged a brace on 36 and 83 minutes as Scarborough Athletic made it back-to-back wins at Queensgate against Kendal Town, whose Danny Forbes replied in injury-time.

The day's other game saw Radcliffe Borough move up a couple of places to eighteenth after sharing a 2-2 draw at Stainton Park with Witton Albion.

After Rob Hopley opened the scoring after seven minutes Matt Davies scored twice for Boro on 50 and 65 minutes either side of Tom Schofield`s effort on the hour-mark.

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