Saturday's North Division action review

The Tigers lead by two points but Shields possess two games in hand and beat Ramsbottom United 4-0 at Mariners Park in front of another terrific crowd of 1,552.

They were gifted a 12th minute lead when Luke Thompson beat his own keeper. Louis Storey added a second on 23 minutes and then Carl Finnigan on 58 minute and Jamie Holmes two minutes later sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.

Hyde were made to scrap for their 1-0 win at Tadcaster Albion, who fell six points behind the play-off race as a consequence of Adam Gilchrist`s 12th minute goal for the visitors.

Scarborough Athletic are seven points behind Hyde in third, with Bamber Bridge, Prescot Cables and Trafford occupying the other top six places, with Colne and Clitheroe just outside and still in with a decent shout.

Scarborough needed a win at The Kensite Stadium against in-form Atherton Collieries to stay firmly in the title race but became the Colls` latest victims in a run in which they have lost just once in 13 games.

Jordan Cover scored both their goals in the fifth and 18th minutes, with Michael Coulson`s reply not coming until nine minutes from time in front of a season's best crowd of 506.

Brig dropped two home points in a 1-1 Irongate draw against Glossop North End, whose Courtney Meppen-Walter cancelled out Ali Waddecar`s 22nd minute opener 10 minutes later from the penalty spot.

Prescot beat Droylsden 3-1 at Valerie Park, thanks to Baba Conte and Chris Almond in the first half and James Edgar straight after the break – Liam Caddick netting a stoppage time consolation.

Trafford enjoyed a good 3-0 win at Ingfield against Ossett Town, with Ali Brown after 24 minutes and then Darius Palma and Aaron Burns in the second being on target.

Colne are five points adrift of Trafford in seventh but they have three games in hand and beat second-bottom Brighouse Town 3-1 at home with an Alex Curran brace sandwiched by an Ollie Crankshaw effort, with Aaron Martin scoring an 85th minute consolation for the Yorkshire side.

Clitheroe, however, lost ground and are level on points with neighbours Colne after losing 2-0 at home to Radcliffe FC, for whom James Hooper added to an early Dan Brady own goal six minutes from time.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Goole AFC are seven points adrift of Brighouse after going down to a 4-0 defeat at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds to Kendal Town, whose Richard Seear had a great day – netting all of the Mintcakes` goals in the 42nd, 50th, 87th and 90th minutes.

Ossett Albion are probably secure after a 4-1 win at Seel Park against Mossley AFC, whose Gibraltar international Adam Priestley netted a hat-trick and Aiden Chippendale scoring the other – all after Tom Dean had given the Lilywhites a third minute lead too!

Colwyn Bay and Skelmersdale United shared a 1-1 draw in the day`s other game – Danny Bartle`s 27th minute opener for Bay being cancelled out by Phil Mooney seven minutes into the second half.

Image courtesy of nonleague.pitchero.com

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague