Saturday's Premier Division action review

Chorley are two points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division table following Saturday's round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Magpies hammered mid-table Nantwich Town 5-1 at Victory Park, taking a 24th minute lead through new signing Max Wainwright that Earl Davis cancelled out seven minutes later.

But that was as good as it got for the Dabbers as James Dean restored the home side's lead right on half-time and then added the third 11 minutes into the second half. An own goal by Davis two minutes later made it 4-1 and then Josh Hine made it a nap hand in the final minute.

Worksop Town remain in second spot after a 2-0 win at Marston Road against struggling Stafford Rangers, who are needing snookers now to avoid the drop.

They made it tough for the Tigers, who led through Adam Quinn's 33rd minute opener and then won it with a Leon Mettam penalty in the 66th minute.

FC United of Manchester won the top five 'six-pointer' 3-1 at the West Lancashire College Stadium in front of a season's best crowd of 1,000.

Jerome Wright gave the Reds a 24th minute lead and Skem `keeper Zac Hibbert made several fine saves to keep his side in the game up to half-time. On 77 minutes the visitors finally added to their tally through Tom Greaves, only for Ashley Dunn to pull Skem back into the game four minutes later before Liam Brownhill settled it with FC United's third three minutes later.

AFC Fylde are level on points with FC United who are a point behind Worksop, having played a game more, after a 2-0 win at home against Stamford AFC.

Matthew Blinkhorn maintained his good goal-scoring form by putting the Coasters in front after 39 minutes. And then Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick made sure of the points with a couple of minutes remaining.

Ashton United made sure Skelmersdale have to return to form quickly by winning 2-1 at Whitby Town to move two points behind Tommy Lawson`s fifth-placed outfit.

Aaron Chalmers put Ashton in front at the Turnbull Ground three minutes after half-time. Martin Pilkington added number two with 20 minutes left to play, only for Dave McTiernan to make it an interesting finale when he pulled one back for the Seasiders three minutes later.

Skem`s defeat and Blyth Spartans` 1-0 win at the New Manor Ground against Ilkeston FC meant the North East outfit are still in with a top five shout.

Danny Maguire`s 11th minute goal eventually proved enough for a Spartans side who are now two points behind Ashton with a game in hand on both them and Skem.

And Rushall Olympic may be not yet out of it either after they beat Marine 2-1 at the Arriva Stadium.

Josh Craddock gave the Pics the lead a couple of minutes after the break and seven minutes later James Dance doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Aaron Rey pulled one back for a struggling Mariners outfit five minutes from time but they are only a point in front of the drop zone.

Stocksbridge Park Steels were put out of their misery and joined Droyslden in being relegated after a 3-1 defeat at Bracken Moor against Trafford.

Shelton Payne scored a hat-trick for the visitors, netting in the 40th, 65th and 68th minutes, with Jamie Smith having replied for Steels three minutes after half-time.

Frickley Athletic occupy the other relegation spot still after losing 3-0 at The Walks against King`s Lynn Town.

George Thomson gave the Linnets a 20th minute lead that Dan Quigley doubled 12 minutes after half-time. Jake Jones added the third with 17 minutes remaining.

Witton Albion remain in deep trouble after becoming the first side to be beaten by relegated Droylsden since April 2013!

The Bloods' first win of the season - and only the sixth point – means Witton are just a point in front of Frickley.

It must have seemed mighty strange to Bloods` players as they found themselves 3-0 up inside 37 minutes with goals from Domaine Rouse, Sam Freakes and Sefton Gonzales.

But a familiar second half collapse saw Albion pull back to 3-3, courtesy of goals from Danny Andrews with two and Scott Bakkor. However, it fell to Gonzales to net the winner for Droylsden with eight minutes remaining.

Despite losing Ashley Palmer to a straight red card, Buxton beat Grantham Town 3-1 at Silverlands.

Mark Reed gave the Bucks a 56th minute lead that Jordan Hempenstall cancelled out on 68 minutes. But Liam Hardy two minutes later and then Josh Davies, earned the home side's victory.

The day's other game between Barwell and Matlock Town ended goalless in Leicestershire.