Saturday's Premier Division action review

Ashton United, Marine and Witton Albion are all still to taste defeat after five games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division – but all three had to be content with draws on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

FC United of Manchester and Hednesford Town are also yet to be beaten and they meet on Sunday at Stalybridge Celtic`s Bower Fold.

Danny Johnson`s Ashton still lead the way, but had to be content with just one point after Frickley Athletic, who had failed to gain anything from their previous four games, fought back to draw. It was substitute Indy Aujla who hit a 71st minute equaliser to earn the Blues their first point of the season after Matty Barlow had given the visitors the lead in first half stoppage time.

Marine twice came back from behind to share six goals with Blyth Spartans at Croft Park. Joe Kendrick gave the side relegated from the Blue Square Bet North an early third minute lead that Tom Moore cancelled out from the penalty spot after 24 minutes. Twelve minutes after the restart the Mariners led through Andy Fowler, only for Kendrick to score his second of the game to pull Spartans back on terms just past the hour-mark.

And when Craig Farrell made it 3-2 to the hosts with less than 12 minutes to go, a first defeat looked on the cards for Kevin Lynch`s men. However, Karl Noon popped up with an 88th minute equaliser.

The boot was on the other foot at Silverlands where Buxton came from 2-0 down to salvage a point against high-flying visitors Witton. Josh Hancock after 28 minutes and then Rory Fallon nine minutes into the second half put Albion in control. But Kieran Lugsden started the comeback in the 63rd minute and then Kyle Nix levelled with 19 minutes remaining.

Eastwood Town remain point-less along with Whitby Town after both were beaten again on Saturday. The Badgers were humbled 5-2 at their own Coronation Park by Kendal Town, who hadn`t won before today. But the hosts had little response to a burst from the Cumbrians that saw goals from Alex Taylor after 19 minutes followed by Jack Duggan, Danny Williams and Alex Taylor at regular intervals before the break – Tyeisse Nightingale sandwiching a reply. Andy Griffiths pulled a second back for Eastwood 10 minutes after half-time, but Marc Joseph made it nap for Kendal with eight minutes to go.

Whitby were a shade unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in seven at newly-promoted AFC Fylde, who took a third minute lead through Michael Barnes. The Seasiders battled back straightaway, however, with two goals in two minutes from Graeme Armstrong and Kevin Burgess.

But Jack Dorney pulled the home side back on terms after 31 minutes and then added his second to make it 3-2 on 65 minutes. Alex White equalised five minutes later, but Dorney completed his hat-trick less than a minute later to eventually earn the spoils.

Stafford Rangers did just enough to see off a resolute Matlock Town side at Marston Road to take all three points for the first time this season. The only goal of the game goal came in style though after 32 minutes when a pin-point cross from Danny Quinn found Simon Everall who powered his header home from close range.

Stocksbridge Park Steels have only a single point to show for their efforts so far this season, and must have felt they were heading for three more at Sandy Lane as they led through Lawrence Hunter`s goal with just 12 minutes to go against Worksop Town. But the Tigers popped up with two goals in the final 4 minutes from Leon Mettam and then a Lee Beeson spot-kick to deny the visitors.

Rushall Olympic tasted defeat for the first time in 2012/13 – and fairly comprehensively too – beaten 3-0 on their own Dales Lane patch by North Ferriby United. Ben Hunter broke the deadlock by giving Ferriby a 54th minute lead then the prolific Gary Bradshaw added a second just past the hour-mark, with Ryan Kendall making sure with a third 14 minutes from time.

Southport loanee Darren Stephenson`s goal three minutes after half-time eventually proved enough to give Chorley victory at home against Ilkeston FC, while Grantham Town, who came up with the Robins, won 2-0 at the Weaver Stadium against Nantwich Town, courtesy of goals from Lee Potts after 10 minutes and Martin Ball right on the break.