Saturday's Premier Division action review

It was another important Saturday in the race for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division title – and it`s advantage AFC Fylde, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Chorley, who possess a game in hand on both Fylde and Skelmersdale United, are still three points clear at the top though, despite losing 1-0 at play-off outsiders Rushall Olympic. Ahmed Obeng`s 13th minute effort proved enough for the Pics in the end.

The Coasters moved into second place after Skelmersdale were also beaten – 2-1 at Croft Park by another top five contender, Blyth Spartans.

Robbie Dale gave the home side a 32nd minute lead that Mark Jackson cancelled out 10 minutes later. But Danny Maguire`s goal three minutes into the second half eventually proved to be enough for Spartans, who are five points adrift of the play-off places.

Fylde triumphed 3-1 at Kettering Road against a Stamford AFC side now looking nervously over their shoulders at the drop zone.

Matthew Blinkhorn gave the Coasters the boost of an early fifth minute lead that Ashley Robinson levelled 20 minutes later. Sean Cooke restored the visitors` lead six minutes later before Andy Russell struck five minutes before half-time with the final goal of the match.

Worksop Town and FC United of Manchester are still in the title mix after both took three points.

The Tigers hammered Marine 5-1 at Sandy Lane, taking an early fifth minute lead through big Tom Denton and then adding a second six minutes before the break through Tom Burgin.

Denton scored his second and the Tigers' third after 65 minutes, Jack Muldoon made it 4-0 just a couple of minutes later and Leon Mettam made it a nap hand with 73 minutes gone – and they even scored the Mariners' a consolation 10 minutes from time when Chris Salt beat his own keeper.

A crowd of 2,083 saw FC United defeat out-of-form King`s Lynn Town 2-0 at Gigg Lane, Michael Norton scoring both of the Reds` goals after 25 and 90 minutes.

Ashton United are sixth, but their hopes of a top five spot suffered a blow when lowly Barwell improved their relegation worries with a 1-0 win at Hurst Cross, Luke Barlone`s goal five minutes before half-time proving decisive for the Canaries.

Droylsden are already down of course, and Stocksbridge Park Steels are almost doomed to follow them after losing 1-0 at Trafford to leave themselves 23 points adrift of the safety mark with only eight games left.

Paul Ashton scored the only goal of the game for the Greater Manchester side on 26 minutes.

Stafford Rangers are only seven points better off than Steels, but are still battling after a 2-0 win at Causeway Lane against a Matlock Town outfit whose remote top five hopes have now all-but gone.

Andy Griffiths gave Rangers the boost of a goal a minute before half-time from the spot and then James McCarthy doubled that 12 minutes into the second period.

The other relegation place looks extremely interesting now after fourth-bottom Witton Albion's 3-1 win at Wincham Park against mid-table Whitby Town.

Craig Farrell gave the Seasiders a 35th minute lead but Danny Andrews equalised 10 minutes after the break and then Alex Titchiner gave the home side the lead 12 minutes later. Jon Dawson made sure of the points with a third goal six minutes from the end.

That meant Frickley Athletic's 2-1 defeat at the Weaver Stadium by Nantwich Town leaves the Yorkshire outfit only two points ahead of Witton, having played three games more.

Jimmy Ghaichem broke the deadlock to put Frickley in front after 56 minutes. But the lead lasted barely a minute as Ollie Devenney levelled and then Ben Deegan won it for the Dabbers 18 minutes from time.

Whitby, in thirteenth place, look to be safe, but all the teams below them are still in need of points.

Buxton did themselves a power of good by beating another of the sides in that batch of seven clubs above Witton, Ilkeston FC. On-loan Liam Hardy bagged a vital brace for the Bucks at the New Manor Ground in the 39th and 73rd minutes.

Grantham Town are sixteenth, but had the morale-booster of a 6-0 hammering of relegated Droylsden.

Jack McGovern on 37 minutes and then a Paul Grimes spot-kick two minutes later, gave the Gingerbreads a 2-0 interval lead. But the young Bloods conceded four in the second half – Gregg Smith on 61 minutes, Dean Meikle three minutes later and then a McGovern brace to complete his hat-trick – the third from the spot – completed the rout.