Saturday's First North action review

However, both dropped points on Saturday, leaving Farsley Celtic leading Lancaster City by a single point and a ten-point gap between them and third-placed Glossop North End with only 12 points left to play for.

Farsley were held to a 1-1 draw at Throstle Nest by a Droylsden side who won 6-1 last weekend.

Celtic broke the deadlock 15 minutes from time with a stunning strike from Ryan Watson. Lewis Nightingale’s corner was headed out by Domaine Rouse to Watson whose first-time strike from 30 yards flew into the top corner.

With five minutes remaining though, Droylsden deservedly levelled as Jamie Frost was played through on goal before lobbing Graeme McKibbin in the Farsley net.

The Dolly Blues suffered a 2-1 home derby defeat to play-off chasing Colne, who are now fifth.

City never really recovered from going behind in the third minute to a Jason Hart effort. Spencer Jordan doubled the visitors` lead on the half-hour mark and all the hosts could muster in response was a 75th minute Jordan Connerton penalty.

The race for a top five spot still contains seven contenders with Glossop, Trafford and Colne currently occupying the other play-off places, but only the latter won on Saturday.

The Hillmen shared a 1-1 home draw with Bamber Bridge, whose Regan Linney cancelled out Dale Johnson`s 16th minute opener just past the hour-mark, while Trafford were beaten 1-0 at home by lowly Ossett Albion, for whom on-loan Luke Porritt scored the only goal 14 minutes from time.

Those results allowed the chasing pack to remain in contention, and Ossett Town, Scarborough Athletic, Clitheroe and Brighouse Town can all lay claims to being legitimate top five challengers going into the final furlong.

Ossett earned a good 4-0 win at Stainton Park against fifth-bottom Radcliffe Borough, thanks to a brace from Danny Frost in the 34th and 48th minutes and singles from Alex Peterson less than a minute after Frost`s second, and Nathan Curtis two minutes after it.

Scarborough crossed the Pennines and won 2-0 at Mossley AFC`s Seel Park, courtesy of Cameron Murray after 28 minutes and Benny Igiehon on 66 minutes.

Clitheroe sealed a 1-0 verdict at second-bottom Goole AFC`s Victoria Pleasure Grounds with a goal from Charlie Russell 12 minutes from time, while Brighouse made it a full house by winning 2-1 at Kendal Town.

Ben Wharton after five minutes and James Pollard right on half-time were the visiting marksmen, with Sam Bailey replying for the Mintcakes four minutes from time.

Bottom-markers Burscough are still alive and kicking – just – and that despite losing 6-0 at Colwyn Bay, whose experienced striker Jamie Rainford helped himself to a hat-trick, with Will Booth, Astley Mulholland and Danny Andrews netting singles.

Prescot Cables are realistically the other side in serious danger of going down, and they picked up a useful point at Tadcaster Albion to be two points above Goole.

Chris Almond gave Cables an early seventh minute lead that Carl Stewart cancelled out on 22 minutes. Almond restored the visitors` advantage on 37 minutes, but right on half-time, Stewart matched him by levelling.

Elsewhere, Hyde United hammered Ramsbottom United 5-0 at Ewen Fields, profiting from taking a first-minute lead through Perel Omry.

Paddy Miller, Phattharaphol Khamsuk, Chris Sutherland and Peter Boyle added the others to make it a nap hand for the Tigers.

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