Saturday's First Division North review

Curzon Ashton thrashed Warrington Town 5-1 in the much-anticipated clash between two of the title favourites in Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

This fixture had been abandoned back in November due to floodlight failure with Warrington winning 2-0 at the time, but they never look like claiming the three points at the second time of asking on Saturday.

In front of a crowd of 451 at Cantilever Park, Curzon led 2-0 at the break through Niall Cummins on 27 minutes and Ryan Brooke four minutes later. And despite Ben Wharton getting one back for the hosts on 53 minutes, Brooke went on to complete his hat-trick in the 57th and 64th minutes, with a fine free-kick from Matty Warburton making it a nap hand on 69 minutes.

While Warrington`s lead at the top is now only on point, Farsley AFC, without a game, are third and a further two points behind Curzon, while Darlington 1883 are fourth and seven points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

And the Quakers saw off a now second-bottom Radcliffe Borough side 2-1 at Stainton Park, thanks to goals from David Dowson after 19 minutes and a Terry Galbraith penalty on 28 minutes after Rob Ramshaw had been tripped.

Bevan Burey reduced the deficit in the 57th minute but any realistic hopes of a comeback ended with the dismissal Boro`s centre-back Mark Ayres for a straight red card.

Ramsbottom United maintained fifth place after a comfortable 4-1 win at Padiham, who are now fifth-bottom.

Jordan Hulme bagged a quickfire brace for Rammy in the 13th and 15th minutes, but it wasn't until the hour-mark that they added a third through Lee Gaskell. Danny Boyle pulled one back for the Storks on 71 minutes but four minutes later Phil Dean restored Rammy`s three-goal cushion.

Bamber Bridge are only a point behind Ramsbottom after an odd goal in five win at Parkside against Kendal Town.

Danny Mitchley gave the Cumbrians a 19th minute lead that Alex Taylor cancelled out eight minutes later. Zach Clark put Brig in front five minutes after that but nine minutes from time Ricky Mercer equalised, only for Chris Marlow to win it for the Lancastrians four minutes later.

Elsewhere, Lancaster City remain level on points with Brig in seventh after a 1-0 win at Burscough, courtesy of a sixth minute Tom Kilifin effort.

Goals from Ryan Williams after 11 minutes and Rob Branagan on 76 minutes won it for Ossett Town at Kirklands against Cammell Laird, whose Craig Cairns had levelled on the half-hour mark.

Town`s neighbours Ossett Albion drew 1-1 away at Northwich Victoria, thanks to a goal from Kurtis Noble six minutes from time after Gary Burnett had given Vics a 52nd minute lead.

And Wakefield moved out of the bottom two after a brace of penalties from Rob Bordman in the third and 61st minutes sealed a 2-0 verdict at home to Clitheroe.

The game between New Mills and Prescot Cables didn`t start until 3.20pm after the referee was unhappy with parts of the pitch, leaving the 120 who turned surely wishing they hadn't after the game ended 0-0!