Saturday's Premier Division action review

Chorley and Ashton United remain unbeaten in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top flight but it's AFC Fylde who now lead the early season table following Saturday's round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Coasters beat Matlock Town 2-0 at home, courtesy of goals from Matty Blinkhorn just before the break and Harry Winter almost immediately after the whistle for the second half blew.

Chorley inflicted a seventh straight defeat on Stafford Rangers at Victory Park. In front of a bumper `Non-League Day` crowd of 896, the Magpies took the lead a minute before the break through Dale Whitham. Paul Jarvis added a second after 57 minutes and then recent signing James Dean made it 3-0 and firmly game over on the hour-mark.

Ashton's good start under their new managerial regime continued with a 2-0 Hurst Cross success over newly-promoted Trafford. Lee Rick broke the deadlock on the hour-mark and then six minutes later Martin Pilkington scored the second.

Ilkeston FC are third, but were held to a 1-1 draw by slow-starting Witton Albion at the New Manor Ground. Another good crowd of 576 saw Matty Richards give the Robins a 34th minute lead they held right until injury-time at the end of the game when Kyle Wilson dragged Albion level.

Promoted Skelmersdale United continued their good start at the higher level with a 3-2 win against Frickley Athletic at the West Lancs College Stadium. But the home side were stunned as the Yorkshire side raced into a 2-0 lead with a quickfire Gavin Allott brace in the 28th and 30th minutes. Kevin Leadbetter's penalty reduced the arrears five minutes after the restart and then two goals in the final six minutes from Adam Morning and Leadbetter again completed the turnaround.

Goals from Matt Thornhill after 17 minutes and Lee Morris right on half-time eventually gave Buxton a 2-0 win at ten-man Marine, who had Tony Rendell sent-off after just 37 minutes.

FC United of Manchester suffered a second defeat of the season to date, 2-0 against Rushall Olympic in front of an attendance of 1,860 at Gigg Lane. Veteran and much-travelled striker Dele Adebola gave the Pics a 51st minute lead that Ahmed Obeng doubled from the spot 10 minutes from the end.

Blyth Spartans completed a 2-1 Croft Park win over Grantham Town. But the home side had to come back from being a 29th minute Nathan Buddle own goal behind to win, thanks to Danny Maguire after 66 minutes and then a Robbie Dale spot-kick three minutes from time.

Nantwich Town's second win of the campaign came in style at Bracken Moor against hosts Stocksbridge Park Steels. The Dabbers won 5-1 – and were behind too when Matt Telling put the Steels in front after 12 minutes!

Aaron Burns crucially equalised a minute before half-time and then Max Harrop put Danny Johnson's side ahead 11 minutes after the restart. Burns' second made it 3-1 with 20 minutes to go, and Ollie Devenney's penalty and a goal from debutant Ben Deegan – both in time added on - made it nap for the Dabbers.

Droylsden are still finding it extremely tough after suffering relegation last season and suffered a sixth defeat in seven, this time 2-1 at The Walks against promoted King`s Lynn Town.

Another terrific crowd of 677 saw Phil Gulliver break the deadlock by giving Lynn a 55th minute lead. But the Bloods equalised through Dylan Maloney on 69 minutes. However, parity lasted barely a minute as Rob Duffy scored what proved to be the winner for the hosts.

The two other matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top flight on Saturday both ended 2-2.

Stamford AFC were two-up at Kettering Road against Worksop Town, thanks to Jordan Smith after four minutes and recent recruit Luke Blakely from the spot on 34 minutes. But James Cottingham reduced the deficit after 56 minutes and then Leon Mettam grabbed a last-gasp equaliser – also from the penalty spot.

It was a similar story at the Turnbull Ground where hosts Whitby Town led Barwell 2-0 with goals from Graeme Armstrong in the 21st and 56th minutes. But Connor Gudger mirrored Armstrong's efforts to pull the visitors level in the 69th and 78th minutes.