Saturday's Premier Division action review

It`s advantage Chorley in the race for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division title following Saturday`s matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Magpies comfortably saw off already-relegated Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-1 at Victory Park, but second-placed FC United of Manchester were beaten 2-1 at home by mid-table Buxton.

Josh Hine gave the home side a 14th minute lead in front of a crowd of 1,007. Darren Stephenson added a second two minutes later, only for Steels to pull one back through Jamie Smith just three minutes after that. But on 69 minutes it was game over when Hine scored his second and Chorley's 100th league goal of the season to date.

Over at Gigg Lane, a fantastic crowd of 3,330 saw FC United get off to a great start when the in-form Tom Greaves put them ahead inside three minutes.

But Sam Brooks equalised seven minutes later and then veteran keeper Andy Warrington performed heroics for the visitors to keep them level and, after Matt Thornhill put the Bucks in front on the hour-mark, the ex-Doncaster favourite pulled off several more saves to keep his side ahead.

Chorley now lead the table by six points, although FC United do possess a game in hand, as do third-placed AFC Fylde, who were without a game today and are level on points with the Reds. Worksop Town, also game-less today, and Ashton United occupy the other two top five spots.

Ashton won 2-1 at already-relegated Stafford Rangers, thanks to two goals in the final 10 minutes from Chris Baguley and Dale Johnson after Saul Henderson had given Rangers a 73rd minute breakthrough.

Skelmersdale United saw their chances of making the top five given a boost without playing after the two teams immediately behind them, Blyth Spartans and Rushall Olympic, both dropped points.

Spartans could only manage a 1-1 draw at mid-table Nantwich Town, whose Alex Meaney gave them a 26th minute lead that Arjun Purewal levelled on 66 minutes.

Rushall were beaten 3-0 at The Meres by Grantham Town.

It was goalless at the break, but four minutes after the restart Paul Grimes gave the Gingerbreads the lead and three minutes later Jordan Hempenstall added a second, with Grimes` second of the game 12 minutes from time confirming victory.

Frickley Athletic were held to a draw by Marine AFC at Westfield Lane.

Leon Osborne gave the Blues a sixth minute lead and they looked good value for it until Joe Wilcox was penalised for handball in the 28th minute but Ben Simpson saved Dale Wright's spot-kick.

Wilcox received his second yellow and subsequent red card in the 74th minute for another handball offence with Andy Fowler this time beating Simpson from the spot in the 75th minute.

The draw sees the Blues' hopes of finishing outside the relegation spots hanging by a thread with just three games left to play, with Marine five points ahead having played a game less and Ilkeston just about safe, albeit just a couple of points better off.

Elsewhere, already down Droylsden made it 172 goals conceded after losing 3-0 at the Butcher`s Arms to Stamford AFC, for whom Jordan Smith after 21 minutes, Nabil Shariff on 33 and Shawn Richards on 71 minutes were on target.

Witton Albion, who made themselves just about safe with two wins in three days earlier this month, were hammered 4-0 at Wincham Park by mid-table Trafford.

Shelton Payne bagged a brace in the 33rd and 39th minutes, with Luke Heron on 69 and Mark Derbyshire on 86 minutes completing the scoring.

And Matlock Town beat fellow mid-table outfit Whitby Town 2-0 at Causeway Lane, courtesy of goals from Cecil Nyoni after 12 minutes and Massiah McDonald on 65.