Saturday's First North action review

With second-placed Farsley Celtic failing to keep pace after suffering a second successive defeat, Singapore-born Hannu Tam proved to be the Dolly Blues` hero with a brace either side of the half-time break.

Jordan Connerton bagged City`s third with 20 minutes remaining while Farsley’s fluctuating run of form continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Bamber Bridge.

First half goals from Chris Marlow after 19 minutes and Josh Heaton 10 minutes later were enough to see the Preston side over the line, although the defeat came at a great cost to Celtic whose striker James Walshaw set to miss another set of games after seeing red again.

The top two possess an eight-point cushion over the chasing pack which is led by Trafford, who won 2-0 at the Harry Williams Roverside Stadium against Ramsbottom United.

Luke Horrocks broke the deadlock on the hour-mark and Ashley Woods` penalty six minutes later sealed the spoils.

Glossop North End and Colne occupy the two other play-off spots, but only the latter won – 2-1 at home to Colwyn Bay, thanks to an Adam Morning brace in the 47th and 69th minutes after Danny Bartle had given Bay a 12th minute lead.

The Hillmen lost 1-0 at Queensgate to Scarborough Athletic in front of a crowd of 439 who saw Jacob Hazel score the only goal 19 minutes from time to keep Boro in with an outside chance of making the top five.

Ossett Town, Clitheroe and Brighouse Town can also have a big say in the play-offs.

Ossett are now sixth and it remains to be seen what damage a 6-1 battering at the Butcher`s Arms against Droylsden does to their confidence.

Steve Ridley actually gave Town an eighth minute lead but Liam Caddick and Adam Farrell scored to make it 2-1 to the Bloods at the break. Second half goals from Farrell again, Joe Connor, Ciaran Kilheeney and Jamie Frost showed what might have been for Droylsden had they had this side together earlier!

Clitheroe won 2-1 at home to Mossley AFC, courtesy of Dan Brady after 12 minutes and Kurt Willoughby 12 minutes from time – all after Mitch Bryant had given the Lilywhites a 10th minute lead.

First half goals from Gregg Anderson, Conor Sellars and Tom Corner put Tadcaster Albion in control after Michael Fish and Tom Haigh scored for Brighouse who went on to salvage a point with a late equaliser, Adam Shaw coming off the bench to flick home in the 84th minute.

Burscough are still not mathematically down, although they require several snookers after losing 3-1 at home to Kendal Town, whose Matt Dudley and Sam Bailey made it 2-0 at the break.

Adam Gilchrist pulled one back for the Linnets immediately after the interval, but a second for Dudley two minutes later eased the Mintcakes home.

Only a point separates second-bottom Goole AFC and third-bottom Prescot Cables though after the pair shared a 2-2 draw at Valerie Park.

Goals from Dominic Reid and Josh Dolling looked to have sealed a vital win for Cables until the Vikings battled back to scored twice in the final six minutes through Richard Patterson and Devonte Morton.

Ossett Albion have a seven-point cushion on Goole so should be safe although they were beaten 3-0 at Dimple Wells by Hyde United on Saturday, Perel Omry in the first half and then Leon Osbourne and Peter Boyle in the second for the Tigers.

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