Saturday's Premier Division action review

Rushall Olympic moved to the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division table on Saturday night after edging out a depleted Frickley Athletic side at Dales Lane, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Rushall played for 70 minutes with ten-men after the dismissal of Dave Walker, and the winning goal came from Grant Beckett on 65 minutes.

Marine are second, but could only manage a 1-1 draw at the Turnbull Stadium against Whitby Town, for whom this was a first point of the campaign after six successive defeats.

Marcus Carver maintained his good scoring form by giving the Mariners an early ninth minute lead. But Graeme Armstrong equalised after 34 minutes and it remained 1-1, despite both sides having chances to win it.

Eastwood Town also managed to get off the mark for 2012-13 when they also shared a 1-1 draw at Bracken Moor against Stocksbridge Park Steels, whose Danny South rescued them with an 89th minute equaliser after the Badgers had led through Paris Simmonds' 76th minute effort.

Hednesford Town and Ashton United join Marine in remaining unbeaten so far this campaign, although Ashton had to be content with a point from another 1-1 draw, this time at Hurst Cross against Grantham Town, whose Phil Watt gave them a 36th minute lead that Matty Kotylo eventually cancelled out 13 minutes from time.

The Pitmen, however, earned a very useful 2-1 success at Victory Park against Chorley, for whom Adam Roscoe gave them a 28th minute lead. Nathan Woolfe levelled just before half-time and then Alex Melbourne won it for Rob Smith's side with less than three minutes remaining.

FC United of Manchester slipped to their first defeat of the season at Gigg Lane when two late goals gifted Nantwich Town a 2-1 victory after Matthew Wolfenden had put the Reds ahead after 54 minutes. Niall Maguire equalised in the 79th minute for the Dabbers, whose winner came courtesy of Mathew Bailey three minutes from time.

AFC Fylde went nap at home to Buxton, aided by an eight minute second half hat-trick from striker James Dean. Jack Booth had given the home side a 38th minute lead and then Dean took over, with the former FC Halifax Town striker netting in the 51st, 55th and 59th minute. Michael Barnes rounded things off with a fifth in the 77th minute.

Stafford Rangers were another side to leave it late before recording a good 3-2 win at Sandy Lane against Worksop Town.
Michael Carr gave Rangers a seventh minute lead, but then two goals in four minutes just before half-time from Leon Mettam and new loan signing Tom Denton put the Tigers in control. Karl Espley levelled just past the hour-mark and then Danny Quinn won it from the penalty spot with less than ten minutes to go.

Blyth Spartans also won on their travels, beating Matlock Town 2-1 at Causeway Lane. And this was yet another game that witnessed a late comeback as Spartans stretched their unbeaten run to five games as a brace from sub Ash Davis and another goal from Craig Farrell was enough to finally take three points from a ten-man Matlock side, who had Lewis McMahon dismissed for two bookings soon after half-time having taken an 11th minute lead through Matt Hamshaw.

The game between Kendal Town and North Ferriby United was delayed due to traffic problems, but when it did start it at 4.30pm was a good afternoon for the visitors' Ryan Kendall, who netted a hat-trick in a 4-2 success.

Kendal gave Ferriby a 2-0 lead by the 28th minute. Alex Taylor reduced the arrears after 56 minutes, only for Kendal to complete his hat-trick two minutes later. Russell Fry`s own goal gave Kendal hope five minutes from time, but Jon Muldoon went virtually straight up the other end to notch Ferriby's fourth.

Witton Albion were yet another away winner on Saturday, seeing off Ilkeston FC by the odd goal in five at the New Manor Ground.

Witton gave the home Robins every help – scoring both their goals for them through own goals from Ben Harrison after seven minutes and Paul Booth six minutes after the break. But Josh Hancock bagged a brace for the visitors on 27 and 32 minutes and Matty Wood scored the winner 10 minutes from time.