Saturday's Premier Division action review

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division title race looks like going right to the wire after wins for both North Ferriby United and Hednesford Town on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Ferriby have a ten-goal cushion on the Pitmen as they head into the final two matches level on eighty-seven points and they did their part today to ensure a nail-biting finish, winning 3-1 at the Arriva Stadium against a Marine side whose play-off chances have now gone.

The Mariners started well enough, taking a ninth minute lead through Will Jones, but went into half-time 2-1 down to goals from Ryan Kendall from the penalty spot after 33 minutes and Anthony Wilson three minutes later. Gary Bradshaw's last-gasp third was the icing on the cake for the visitors.

Hednesford kept pace with the Villagers winning 2-0 at the New Manor Ground against mid-table Ilkeston FC, courtesy of goals from Ben Bailey after 34 minutes and Kris Taylor six minutes from time.

A 68th minute Matt Wolfenden effort was enough to give FC United of Manchester the three points against Worksop Town and moves the Reds just one win away from sealing a play-off place for the third consecutive season in front of bumper crowd of 2,761 at Youth United Day at Gigg Lane.

Witton Albion still have work to do to secure their top five spot, despite a 3-0 win at Wincham Park against Matlock Town that keeps them in fourth place. In front of a crowd of 574, Steve Foster gave the hosts the boost of an early fourth minute lead, but they had to wait until right at the end of the game to add to their tally through Joe Shaw and then Danny Andrews.

AFC Fylde are still favourites for a top five spot, despite going down to a 1-0 home defeat to Stafford Rangers, for whom Jon Sheldon was on the mark after 26 minutes.

A play-off position looks increasingly unlikely as Rushall Olympic stumbled to a second successive defeat and Buxton, who are still in with a shout themselves, completed a far too comfortable 'double'. Rushall slumped to their second league defeat in the space of just four days as Buxton completed a comfortable 2-0 win at Silverlands, leaving the Pics with only an outside chance of finishing in a play-off position.

The Bucks surged into the lead four minutes prior to the interval. From out of nowhere Matt Thornhill was found in space and the midfielder unleashed a spectacular first time effort that looped over keeper Chris Gemmell and nestled inside the far post. The game was effectively all over just after the hour-mark when Kieran Lugsden darted in to powerfully head home.

Chorley's chances have virtually gone after a 1-1 home draw with Ashton United – another side who had been up there for long periods of the season. Chris Baguley gave the visitors a 64th minute breakthrough, but Darren Stephenson equalised ten minutes from time.

At the opposite end of the table, Stocksbridge Park Steels virtually ensured their place in the division after beating second-bottom Kendal Town 5-3 at Bracken Moor. Alex Callery started the goal fest off by giving Steels a 17th minute lead but Kendal turned round 2-1 up after goals from Danny Mitchley on 25 minutes and Adam Freeland just before the break.

Goals from Danny South on 51 minutes, Nathan Joynes three minutes later and Nick Swirad on 63 minutes turned the game back in Steels' favour, only for Mitchley to reduce the deficit to just one with three minutes to go, before Alex Denton made sure with the home side's fifth in time added on.

Grantham Town are still not secure after a 1-0 defeat at Croft Park against Blyth Spartans, for whom Danny Maguire scored the only goal just past the hour-mark.

Elsewhere, Nantwich Town edged out Frickley Athletic by the odd goal in five at the Weaver Stadium where Harry Clayton's fourth minute opener for the Dabbers was immediately cancelled out by Jamie Wootton. Charlie Raglan then restored the home side's lead on 26 minutes only for Jake Picton to seemingly have earned the Blues a point with an 84th minute leveller. Joe Guest had other ideas, winning it for Nantwich from the spot two minutes later.

Bottom-markers Eastwood Town held Whitby Town to a 1-1 Turnbull Ground draw where Shane Henry's 29th minute opener for the Seasiders was equalised by Bradley Munn 20 minutes later.