Saturday's Premier Division action review

Given the horrendous weather of 24 hours earlier, all of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier's Division matches survived on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Perhaps North Ferriby United had wished their game at Silverlands against Buxton hadn't as the leaders went down to a 2-0 defeat and head the table by a point. It could have been worse for Ferriby, but second-placed Hednesford Town were also beaten on Saturday.

Neil Stevens gave the Bucks the lead six minutes after half-time and then seven minutes from time, victory was confirmed when Mark Reed added a second to make it 2-0.

Gavin Allott scored an 80th minute winner as struggling Frickley Athletic came out on top against high-flying Hednesford at Westfield Lane with a 2-1 win.

There was an element of luck about the first of their two goals as Luke Hinsley's deflected 20-yard effort wrong-footed the Hednesford keeper to give the Blues a 29th minute lead before Elliott Durrell's 38th minute free-kick into the box deceived Tom Woodhead and dropped just under the crossbar for the equaliser. However, there was no luck about Allott's winner as he cut in from the left and let fly from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

Marine took closer order in third after winning 2-1 at basement side Eastwood Town, who produced a battling performance.

Indeed, the Badgers couldn't have had a better start as Paolo Piliero put them in front with a first-minute penalty. Liam Dawson eventually pulled the Mariners back on level terms on the hour-mark and then five minutes from time, new signing Danny Mitchley grabbed the visitors' winner.

Witton Albion are fourth, two points adrift of Marine, after winning 3-0 at Croft Park against Blyth Spartans.

Steve Foster broke the deadlock by giving Albion a 53rd minute lead that Danny Andrews doubled nine minutes later. Shaun Tuck added a third with a couple of minutes remaining.

Ashton United suffered a third successive defeat – a 5-1 drubbing at Sandy Lane against Worksop Town - who now trail their fifth-placed visitors by just a single point.

Ashley Burbeary gave the Tigers a 36th minute lead from the penalty spot which came as a result of a `professional foul` by defender Danny Caldecott, who was sent-off. The ten-men equalised 11 minutes into the second half through Matty Barlow but Leon Mettam restored the home side's lead in the 68th minute. David Shiels on 72 minutes, Lee Beeson four minutes later and Steve Towers in time added on, completed the rout.

FC United of Manchester are now only a couple of points behind the top five after Matty Wolfenden's last-gasp effort won their game at Gigg Lane in front of a crowd of 1,539 against Grantham Town, who were under new management of Gary Sucharewycz and Ian Robinson after the pair'sswitch from Hucknall in midweek.

Chorley's play-off hopes took another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Victory Park by second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Dale Whitham gave the Magpies the lead six minutes after the restart but Danny South earned Steels a vital point with 13 minutes remaining.

Stafford Rangers also went nap at Marston Road against Kendal Town, for whom it looks like being a long, hard winter.

Danny Quinn's early fourth minute penalty for Rangers set the tone, and Michael Carr after 17 minutes and Karl Ashton on 34 minutes made it 3-0 by the break. Ashton scored his second and Rangers' fourth on 69 minutes, with Simon Rawnsley netting an 89th minute consolation for the Cumbrians. Fabrice Kasiama still had time to complete the scoring by netting Stafford's fifth in injury-time.

Rushall Olympic's indifferent home form continued to plague them as they ultimately relinquished an interval lead to gift a Whitby Town outfit lying just above the drop zone a point at Dales Lane.

The hosts couldn't have wished for a better start when with just five minutes from the first whistle they surged into the lead as skipper Wayne Danniel stooped to power in a header beyond keeper Nick Liversedge from Jon Haynes’ well flight corner. But the Seasiders levelled on 67 minutes through Craig Farrell, who latched on to a loose ball to stab home.

Ilkeston FC's improvement continued on Saturday as they won by the odd goal in five at AFC Fylde.

Experienced striker Gary Ricketts gave the visiting Robins a 19th minute lead that Michael Barnes cancelled out almost immediately. Ricketts restored Ilkeston's lead four minutes later, only for James Dean to pull Fylde back on terms again a minute before the break. Matt Richards netted what proved to be the winner for Kevin Wilson`s side on 56 minutes.