Saturday's Premier Division action review

After something of a goal fest on Saturday, North Ferriby United's lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division table was cut to four points after the Humbersiders were held to a 1-1 home draw by mid-table Stafford Rangers, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Manager Billy heath's tabel-toppers look to be heading for another three points haul after Liam King gave the home side a 34th minute lead before Christian Dacres cancelled it out and earned Rangers a point with 14 minutes remaining.

Second-placed Hednesford Town eased to a 3-0 Keys Park success over struggling Grantham Town to close the gap. Ben Bailey gave the hosts a great start with a goal inside the opening four minutes. Aaron Rey added a second just after half-time, with Neil Harvey completing the scoring on 54 minutes.

The Pitmen now trail Ferriby by four points but possess two games in hand, while third-placed FC United of Manchester may be a further nine points adrift, but they have played four games fewer than the leaders and two less than Hednesford.

FC United moved above Marine into third spot after beating the Mariners 3-0 at the Arriva Stadium. In front of an excellent crowd of 1,282, Tom Greaves proved to be the visitors' hero, the former Bradford Park Avenue man netting a hat-trick with goals in the 20th, 29th and 55th minutes.

Worksop Town complete the top five and now trail Marine by just two points after edging out battling third-bottom Kendal Town by the odd goal in seven at Parkside.

Mike Rushton put the home side ahead after 20 minutes, only for Lee Potts to level from the penalty spot seven minutes later. Dean Overson restored Kendal's lead on the half-hour mark, with Potts levelling once more from twelve yards four minutes after the break.

Maison McGeechan then gave the Cumbrians the lead for a third time in the match, converting the third penalty of the afternoon in the 73rd minute. However, Tom Denton equalised just four minutes later and then the big striker won it for the Tigers with six minutes to go.

Witton Albion are a point further back in sixth spot after beating Whitby Town 3-1 at the Turnbull Ground.

Brian Pritchard's side left it very, very late. They led courtesy of a Steve Foster effort after 57 minutes, but when Craig Farrell pulled the hosts back on level terms with four minutes to go, a draw looked likely. But Danny Andrews and then Shaun Tuck struck twice in time added on to win a crucial three points for Albion.

Buxton are by no means out of the play-off picture as they have games in hand on most above them and they improved their goal difference after hammering bottom-markers Eastwood Town 6-2 at Silverlands.

Despite falling two goals behind early on, Lavell White bagging a brace on five and 12 minutes, the Bucks bounced back to win comfortably.

First, Lee Morris pulled one back seven minutes before the break and then David Haggerty came off the bench to level on 68 minutes. Neil Stevens put the Bucks in front on 77 minutes and then Mark Reed grabbed a four minute hat-trick to make the final score 6-2.

The game between Rushall Olympic and Blyth Spartans at Dales Lane fell just one goal short of the one at Buxton, with the Pics winning 5-2.

This time it was the home side who went ahead through Dave Walker after 12 minutes, although Spartans levelled just four minutes later through Danny Maguire. But goals from Ahmed Obeng on 40 minutes and Jonathan Haynes five minutes later gave the home side a 3-1 interval lead that Walker added to two minutes later. Craig Hubbard reduced the arrears seven minutes later, with Obeng making it nap with nine minutes to go.

A header from Adam Roscoe in the very first minute of the game eventually proved enough to settle a scrappy game as visiting Chorley ran out 1-0 winners at Frickley Athletic. Loan signing Callum Howe made his debut in central defence and came the closest to scoring an equaliser for the Blues when his close range shot was cleared off the line.

Second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels were on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat at AFC Fylde, whose Joe Booth opened the scoring after 16 minutes. But it wasn't until the hour-mark that Michael Barnes doubled the home side's advantage and then Booth again and Adam Carden both netted in the final three minutes to complete the scoring.

Anthony Griffith Jnr scored the only goal of the game at the Weaver Stadium to give Matlock Town the points against Nantwich Town, while Ilkeston FC and Ashton United saw their slim play-off hopes evaporate further after sharing a 2-2 New Manor Ground draw.

Aaron Burns put Ashton ahead after 12 minutes. Jamie Reid equalised just after the break and then Tom Baker restored the visitors' advantage with 14 minute remaining. But Reid popped up to restore parity in the 82nd minute.