Saturday's Premier Division action review

There were only four matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division on Saturday due to the FA Trophy but wins for Marine, Chorley and Ashton United moved them all closer to leaders North Ferriby United, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Marine are second and now just three points behind Ferriby after a hard-fought 2-1 win against second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels at the Arriva Stadium.

Shaun Dowling gave the Mariners the boost of an early sixth minute lead but Steels came back to level on 31 minutes through Danny South. John Shaw popped up with what proved to be the home side's winner on 69 minutes.

Chorley are only a point adrift of Marine after they won 1-0 at The Meres against Grantham Town.

Ciaran Kilheeney was once again the Magpies' hero, netting the only goal of the game a minute before the half-time break.

Ashton, however, had a much more comfortable task, hammering managerless Eastwood Town 6-0 at Hurst Cross.

It was virtually all over by half-time as the hosts led 4-0 with goals from Aaron Burns, who went on to net a hat-trick in the 17th – from the penalty spot – 33rd and 40th, with Matt Kosylo sandwiching the other on 24 minutes.

Burns added his fourth and Ashton's fifth just five minutes after the interval, but they took their foot off the pedal somewhat after that, adding only one more in injury-time from Matty Barlow.

The win keeps Danny Johnson's side within a point of third-placed Chorley.

The other game saw Blyth Spartans move up to eleventh place after a 4-2 win at Croft Park against fourth-bottom Frickley Athletic.

Lee Mason put the home side in front after 37 minutes, only for the Blues to level within two minutes through Luke Hinsley.

If any of the 288 crowd left 10 minutes early to warm up after a cold afternoon they would have missed four goals!

Ryan Corrigan eventually restored Blyth's lead in the 81st minute and then Phil Airey bagged a brace in the 84th and 88th minutes to make it 4-1, with Jason Yates scoring a stoppage time second for the visitors.