Saturday's Premier Division action review

On what could turn out to be a pivotal Saturday in the race for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division title, Chorley recovered from their midweek defeat by FC United of Manchester to edge out Worksop Town while second-placed Skelmersdale United were beaten at home by Grantham Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of a crowd of 1,151 at Victory Park, Keil O`Brien`s 18th minute goal eventually proved enough for Chorley against play-off chasing Worksop to move four points clear of Skem.

Tommy Lawson`s side were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at the West Lancs College Stadium by a Gingerbreads outfit who are now nine points clear of the drop zone.

They took a 27th minute lead through Gregg Smith and then doubled that, courtesy of a Paul Grimes penalty four minutes before half-time. Skem managed to reduce the deficit by one with a Connor McCarthy effort on 69 minutes, but the visitors held on for three big points.

AFC Fylde and FC United of Manchester complete the top five and both won on Saturday, the Coasters edging out play-off chasing Rushall Olympic 2-1 at Kellamergh Park.

Bradley Barnes gave the hosts an early ninth minute lead that Adam Sumner eventually doubled midway through the second half. Karl Ashton caused a nervy last few seconds when he reduced the arrears in time added on, but Dave Challinor`s men held on for the win.

FC United added another nail in second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels` relegation coffin after a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Bracken Moor.

Charlie Raglan bagged a brace for the visitors after two and 34 minutes. Jake Eyre pulled Steels back into the contest just before the break, but seven minutes after the interval Lee Neville restored FC United`s two-goal cushion and then Astley Mulholland added number four a minute from time.

Ashton United and Blyth Spartans maintained the pressure on the top five with away victories on Saturday.

Ashton won 1-0 at Marine, courtesy of a goal from Chris Baguley with 12 minutes to go, while Blyth dealt another blow to King`s Lynn Town`s play-off chances with a similar outcome at The Walks, thanks to a 69th minute Robbie Dale effort.

And Matlock Town, who possess a couple of games in hand on both Blyth and Ashton, remain in contention after a 3-1 win at the New Manor Ground against Ilkeston FC.

Danny Holland put the Gladiators ahead after 25 minutes and just five minutes later David Haggerty added a second. But less than two minutes after that Kane Richards pulled the Robins back into the game, only for Shaun Tuton to make it 3-1 with three minutes of the first half to go.

Neither side managed to trouble the scorer in the second period, and Matlock are two and four points respectively behind Blyth and Ashton.

Whitby Town`s outside chances are probably gone, however, after they went down to a 2-1 defeat at the Turnbull Ground to a Stamford AFC side who are ten points clear of the drop zone as a result of this success.

Lewis Carr broke the deadlock by giving the Daniels a 62nd minute lead and Jordan Smith doubled the visitors` lead 10 minutes later. Graeme Armstrong pulled the Seasiders back into the encounter with seven minutes to go, but David Staff`s team held firm.

At the opposite end of the table, Droylsden are already down, but looked a lot more relaxed as they were just edged out by a Frickley Athletic side now eight points clear of the bottom four.

The Blues overcame the banana-skin trip to the Butcher`s Arms by coming out on top courtesy of goals from Fernando Moke after 19 minutes, Gavin Allott on 76 minutes sandwiched by an own goal by Domaine Rouse five minutes before the break.

But the home side could easily have taken at least a point from the game with the Bloods enjoying much of the second half play. Sefton Gonzales pulled a goal back on 61 minutes and, despite Allott putting the Blues 3-1 up on 76 minutes, Sam Madeley again reduced the arrears on 78 minutes after Ben Simpson had saved his initial penalty.

The two teams occupying fourth and third-bottom spots met at Marston Road where Stafford Rangers and Witton Albion shared a 2-2 draw that does the visitors more good than the hosts.

Michael Powell gave Albion a 19th minute lead that Dan Cope levelled on 39 minutes. Rangers went into half-time in front when Alex Curtis scored right on the whistle. And that looked like being the winner until Danny Andrews popped up with an 85th minute equaliser for Witton.

Buxton were pushed back towards the dog-fight after going down to a 2-1 Silverlands defeat to mid-table Trafford.

The Bucks led at the break, courtesy of a 42nd minute Craig King goal. But Michael Oates levelled just past the hour-mark and then Simon Hackney won it for the Greater Manchester outfit with 14 minutes left to play.

Barwell are six points above Witton, but have played three more games and could have done with more than just the one point from a 2-2 home draw with Nantwich Town.

The Dabbers took an eighth minute lead through Aaron Burns but the Canaries went into half-time 2-1 up after goals from Danny Griffiths on 37 minutes and Luke Barlone right on the whistle. Mat Bailey grabbed a share of the spoils for Danny Johnson`s side with the equaliser in the 71st minute.