Saturday's Premier Division action review

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division title race is going right to the wire following Saturday's results, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

North Ferriby United now head the table on goal difference alone after they were held to a goalless home draw by mid-table Nantwich Town. Second-placed Hednesford Town took three points and improved their goal difference with a 4-0 win at Keys Park against Whitby Town.

In front of a crowd of 504, Ben Bailey gave the Pitmen a good start with the opening goal inside seven minutes. Michael Lennon doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break and then Neil Harvey bagged a second half brace on 59 and 65 minutes to secure a comfortable victory.

The title race is effectively between the top two now after third placed FC United of Manchester could only manage a 2-2 draw at already-doomed bottom of the table Eastwood Town.

In front of 607 at Coronation Park, Jack Green gave the Badgers a 33rd minute lead that Oliver Banks cancelled out right on half-time.

However, three minutes into the second half a Dean Stott own goal restored a shock lead for the hosts, who held on until a minute from time when Michael Norton saved FC United's blushes.

Mathematically, FC United could still pip the top two, but even the most ardent Reds fan would concede that the play-offs is the best they can hope for now. And there is still work to do before they can confirm that as the top five is far from being sorted yet.

Witton Albion and Rushall Olympic are the current occupants of the two other play-off places, and both won on Saturday.

Albion won 3-1 at fourth-bottom Grantham Town with two goals in the opening seven minutes from Josh Hancock and Shaun Tuck giving them a great platform. Gio Cardechi pulled one back for the Gingerbreads after 25 minutes, but Hancock's second seven minutes later eventually proved enough for Brian Pritchard's side.

The Pics enjoyed a vital win over AFC Fylde at Dales Lane and leap-frogged the visitors into the top five. Ahmed Obeng gave Rushall the boost of a goal four minutes before half-time and then Linden Dovey confirmed the points with a second 3 minutes from time.

Chorley and Buxton are still in contention, although the Bucks were without a game on Saturday, while Marine's hopes have gone after Joe Leesley's 57th minute goal earned Matlock Town the spoils at Causeway Lane.

Chorley were also beaten by the same scoreline at Sandy Lane by managerless Worksop Town, whose Leon Mettam scored the only goal in the last minute of normal time.

At the other end of the table, Kendal Town kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-2 Parkside win over Ilkeston FC. And the Cumbrians had to come from being a 30th minute Danny Gordon goal down to win, with Maison McGeechan equalising six minutes after the break and then Danny Mitchley bagging a brace, on 78 minutes and then in stoppage time from the penalty spot after Gordon had scored his second on the hour-mark.

But crucially, third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels also won, thanks to a hat-trick from Nathan Joynes at Hurst Cross against Ashton United. Joynes scored in the 10th and 23rd minutes to give the visitors a 2-0 lead that Thomas Moore cut on the half-hour mark. Joynes completed his hat-trick on 79 minutes, but Moore's second from the spot later minutes later made for a nervy finale.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Stafford Rangers were beaten 4-2 at Marston Road by Blyth Spartans in the only game which could be described as a 'dead rubber'. Spartans had to come back from being a third minute Danny Quinn spot-kick behind to win, thanks to Danny Maguire on 27 minutes, Robbie Dale two minutes after half-time and a Craig Hubbard brace of spot-kicks in the 56th and 61st minutes – Sean Kinsella pulling one back for Rangers 12 minutes from time.