Saturday's Premier Division action review

It's building up to be a thrilling finish to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division title race, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Saturday saw wins for all of the top five teams, leaving FC United of Manchester ahead of Chorley on goal difference, with only three points separating the top four clubs.

FC United, backed by a terrific crowd of 2,044 at Gigg Lane, had to come back from behind to beat Matlock Town, who had taken the lead right on half-time through Danny Holland. But in-form Tom Greaves equalised just three minutes into the second half and the same player followed up his midweek brace at Witton Albion to win it after 64 minutes.

Chorley were also made to scrap for their victory at the New Manor Ground against an Ilkeston FC side still in need of a point or two to be completely safe.

On-loan Max Cartwright gave the Magpies a great start with a goal inside four minutes. James Dean`s 25th minute penalty doubled the visitors' lead, only for Joe Maguire to pull the Robins back into the game seven minutes later. But a James Reid own goal increased Chorley`s lead after 67 minutes although Garry Flitcroft`s men were made to sweat when Michael Williams pulled a late second back for the hosts.

Worksop Town are two points behind the top two – all having now played thirty-nine matches – after also surviving a scare at already-relegated Droylsden.

Leon Mettam gave the Tigers a 22nd minute lead but a relaxed Bloods levelled through Sam Madeley nine minutes before the break. Big Tom Denton restored the visitors` lead six minutes after half-time and added his and Worksop`s third on 68 minutes.

Less than a minute later Madeley netted his second to reduce the deficit and amazingly completed his hat-trick to level matters 14 minutes from time. However, Shane Clarke saved Tigers` faces when he popped up with an 84th minute winner.

AFC Fylde are a point further back in fourth and also won on their travels against a struggler in Frickley Athletic.

After a goalless first half Sean Cooke gave AFC Fylde a 47th minute lead before Sam Denton missed a chance to equalise in the 61st minute when his penalty was saved by Ben Hinchliffe. Richard Allen sealed the game in the last minute, finishing well following a swift breakaway.

Ashton United remain in fifth place after a 2-0 win at another already-relegated outfit, Stocksbridge Park Steels.

It took until eight minutes into the second half for Ashton to break the deadlock through Martin Pilkington and then just four minutes later, Matty Chadwick doubled their lead – one they held comfortably take the points home.

Skelmersdale United are three points behind Ashton with a game in hand after coming back from 3-1 down to earn a share of the spoils at The Walks against mid-table King`s Lynn Town.

It was Skem who took the lead through Dean Astbury after 10 minutes. However, Andy Hall completed a hat-trick in 16 minutes to take Lynn 3-1 up by the 31st minute. Crucially, Astbury reduced the deficit with his second of the game five minutes later and completed a triple hand with the leveller 13 minutes from time.

Two of the outside contenders for a play-off place met at Dales Lane, but Rushall Olympic and Blyth Spartans cancelled each other out in a goalless draw that did neither much good.

Stafford Rangers became the third team to confirm relegation, despite earning a creditable 2-2 draw at Silverlands against Buxton.

Mark Reed bagged a brace in the 46th and 60th minutes to give the home side a 2-0 lead. But credit to Graham Heathcote`s side, who knew nothing short of victory would earn a reprieve for a little longer. Ian Craney immediately pulled one back and then Dan Cope equalised with nine minutes remaining but one point was never going to be enough.

That was because Marine won 4-2 at Kettering Road against Stamford AFC.

Joe Fowler gave the Mariners a great start with a goal inside three minutes and Michael Monaghan added a second nine minutes later. Matty Carr pulled one back for the Daniels just past the hour-mark, only for Neil Harvey to restore the visitors` two-goal cushion on 68 minutes.

Ryan Robbins grabbed another for the hosts from the spot with 17 minutes to go, only for Aaron Rey to grab the Mariners` fourth in time added on.

That defeat has pulled Stamford back into the relegation mix which is in reality between Frickley, Marine, Ilkeston, Barwell and Witton Albion, who earned a vital 2-1 win at Wincham Park against a Grantham Town side still not definitely secure themselves.

Josh Hancock put Albion in front after 24 minutes and Alex Titchiner, who has been an important signing, doubled that lead in the 37th minute. Michael Towey pulled one back for the Gingerbreads right on half-time to make it a nervy second period for the Cheshire hosts.

Barwell pulled themselves six points clear of Frickley when they earned a big win at Trafford.

Shelton Payne put the home side in front after 16 minutes, but the Canaries his back to lead 3-1 at half-time with efforts from Matty Preston after 20 minutes, Ben Love a minute later and Kevin Charley five minutes before the break. Danny Griffiths' penalty 10 minutes into the second half gave the visitors the cushion of a 4-1 lead that Simon Hackney reduced by one 12 minutes from the end.

The only game with little on it apart from final placings and pride saw Whitby Town run out 4-2 winners against Nantwich Town at the Turnbull Ground.

Aaron Burns had given the Dabbers an eight minute lead that Shane Henry cancelled out on the half-hour mark. Mark Robinson eventually gave the Seasiders the lead from the spot on 67 minutes. Five minutes later Lee Mason made it 3-1, with Henry adding his second and the home side`s fourth nine minutes after that, rendering Ben Deegan's reply two minutes from time as nothing more than a consolation.