Saturday's Premier Division action review

North Ferriby United maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division table after edging out struggling Kendal Town at home on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Second-bottom Kendal put up a brave fight after finding themselves 2-0 down to goals from Gregg Anderson after 19 minutes and Ryan Kendal on 35 minutes. But Ferriby paid for several missed opportunities when Mike Rushton reduced the arrears in the 74th minute.

Ryan Williams then added the home side's third from the penalty spot with five minutes to go, but less than two minutes later, Rushton scored his and Kendal's second to make it a rather nervy finale.

Second-placed Hednesford Town secured a 3-1 Keys Park success against Chorley, who now find themselves five points adrift of the play-off places.

Neil Harvey put the Pitmen ahead after 26 minutes, but it wasn't until just past the hour-mark that Aaron Rey managed to add to that. Six minutes later Harvey scored his second and Hednesford's third, with Andy Russell netting a consolation for the Magpies two minutes from time.

However, none of the remainder of the top five managed a victory on Saturday.

Witton Albion moved into third place but had to be content with a point from a 2-2 draw with in-form Ilkeston FC at Wincham Park.

An Anthony Sheehan own goal gave the visiting Robins a 24th minute lead that Anthony Gardner cancelled out just before half-time. The prolific Steve Foster then gave Albion the lead around the hour-mark, but Dan Partridge pulled Kevin Wilson's side back on level terms after 67 minutes.

Marine were surprisingly beaten 5-2 at the Arriva Stadium by Whitby Town.

The Mariners found themselves two-down inside half-an-hour through Graeme Armstrong and Craig Farrell. Danny Mitchley pulled one back after 34 minutes, only for Armstrong to make it 3-1 just after half-time and then Farrell add a fourth six minutes later. Nick Rogan reduced the deficit to two on 56 minutes, only for Steve Snaith to make it nap for the Seasiders with seven minutes remaining.

Fifth-placed Worksop Town made it a very good day for Ferriby and Witton after losing 3-1 at Marston Road against Stafford Rangers.

Ant the Tigers were in front after 12 minutes through Matty Young only to be hit by a three-goal burst by Rangers in a 10-minute spell. That was starting in the 29th by Karl Ashton and continued by Liam Walshe and Fabrice Kasiama.

All that saw Ashton United move back into the play-off frame and only a point adrift of Worksop after a 2-0 win at The Meres against fourth-bottom Grantham Town. Matty Kosylo gave the visitors the boost of an early third minute lead that Scott Hogan added to just before half-time.

Buxton are also in contention in seventh after a last-gasp Mark Reed penalty earned them a 1-0 verdict at Silverlands against AFC Fylde.

FC United of Manchester are now four points behind Worksop with three games in hand after a crucial win at the Weaver Stadium by the odd goal in five against Nantwich Town.

A crowd of 1,003 saw Matty Wolfenden give FC United the boost of an early fourth minute lead that Adam Jones doubled less than five minutes later. But the Dabbers fought back in the second half and levelled, Sean Cooke on 55 minutes and Simon Everall on 70 the scorers. However, Greg Daniels popped up with the Reds' winner seven minutes from time.

A hat-trick from Gavin Allott saw Frickley Athletic come back from 3-1 down to take a point against Rushall Olympic.

The visitors took the lead after just 4 minutes through Andre Landell and Luke Bottomer doubled the lead on 21 minutes. Allott pulled a goal back on 39 minutes but Dave Walker broke away to score a third for Rushall on the stroke of half-time.

Allott scored again on 56 minutes and then flicked in the equaliser with 10 minutes to play with Jimmy Ghaichem going close to snatching all three points for the Blues in the last few minutes.

Blyth Spartans took a 25th minute lead at Croft Park against Matlock Town, courtesy of Wayne Buchanan.

An own goal accredited to Richard Slaughter pulled the Gladiators back on terms six minutes after the restart, but long-serving defender James Lukic also scored at the wrong end after 66 minutes to earn Spartans the spoils.

Eastwood Town are now four points adrift of second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels after losing to the latter at Coronation Park.

The Badgers got off to a great start when Jacob Green gave them a sixth minute lead. Danny South eventually equalised nine minutes after the break and then Ben Turner broke home hearts with an injury-time winner for Steels.