Saturday's Premier Division action review

Amazingly, given the bad weather, the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division managed to get all of its scheduled matches played on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Leaders North Ferriby United were involved in the game of the day at Hurst Cross against Ashton United, who started the day in second place. A disappointing crowd of 176 saw Ferriby extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points after a 2-0 success.

Ryan Kendall gave the visitors a 19th minute lead and then with only two minutes remaining Liam King made sure. Ashton lost second spot to Witton Albion, who saw off struggling Eastwood Town 3-0 in front of a decent crowd of 408 at Wincham Park.

Shaun Tuck broke the deadlock after 39 minutes and just two minutes later the recently returned Steve Foster doubled their advantage and Witton threatened to inflict a hammering on the Badgers. But in the end Albion could only add one more to their tally through Tuck again on 66 minutes.

Marine could also have overtaken Ashton had they won at Bracken Moor against Stocksbridge Park Steels.

However, the second-bottom outfit earned a point from a 2-2 draw in which Danny Grannon gave the Mariners a 58th minute lead. Alex Callery equalised six minutes later and then Will Senior put the home side ahead in the 75th minute. But Grannon's second six minutes from time ensured the visitors at least salvaged a point.

The basement battle between Ilkeston FC and Whitby Town went the way of Kevin Wilson's Robins at the New Manor Ground.

A crowd of 563 saw the home side go two-up in the opening 15 minutes from Joe Maguire and Aaron Hooton. Maguire made it 3-0 with 11 minutes of the second half played, rendering Arjun Purewal's 75th minute reply for the Seasiders as just a consolation in the end. The win sees Ilkeston move above them into eighteenth in the table.

Ilkeston are only a point behind Frickley Athletic now after the Blues were beaten 2-1 at The Meres by Grantham Town, whose Paul Grimes struck twice in the opening nine minutes – his first after three minutes from the penalty spot. Chris Howarth replied after 58 minutes but the visitors were unable to find a leveller.

FC United of Manchester snatched a late winner at Victory Park against Chorley in front of a crowd of 1,130.

A powerful strike in the 87th minute from Matthew Tierney snatched all three points for FC United after Michael Norton's 36th minute goal had been cancelled out by Dale Whitham just before the break.

The other game played on Saturday saw Blyth Spartans and Nantwich Town share a 1-1 draw at Croft Park.

The sides looked fairly evenly-matched before kick-off, judging from their respective points tally, and after Wayne Buchanan had given Spartans a 33rd minute lead, it came as little surprise when Sean Cooke salvaged a point for the Dabbers 14 minutes from time.