Saturday's Premier Division action review

Just two games of the season remains, yet the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division still has four teams in the title race and one more relegation place to be decided, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

One issue was settled on Saturday and that was the final play-off spot which Ashton United won after beating the only team who could deny them, Skelmersdale United.

Tommy Lawson`s side had to win to keep their hopes of a top five finish alive, but got off to a bad start when Martin Pilkington gave Ashton an early ninth minute lead.

Pilkington doubled his and the home side`s lead after 41 minutes, but seconds into the second half Sean Miller reduced the deficit. But, despite forcing Ashton back, Skem were unable to find a leveller and Chris Lynch eventually made it 3-1 in the 72nd minutes, with Dale Johnson condemning the visitors to defeat with number four a minute from time.

The race for the title is going right to the wire. Defeat on Saturday for AFC Fylde and leaders Chorley being held to a draw at Whitby Town has brought Worksop Town back into the race.

FC United of Manchester remain Chorley's biggest threat for the championship after they earned a late win against Stamford AFC in the Daniels' penultimate match at Kettering Road.

Ryan Robbins threatened an upset when he gave the home side an early third minute lead to shock the majority in the 1,204 crowd.
Mike Norton equalised after 36 minutes, only for Nabil Shariff to restore the Daniels' lead a minute before the interval.

But just two minutes after the restart Matthew Wolfenden pulled the Reds back on terms and then, with six minutes remaining, Norton slotted home a late winner as FC United moved to within a point of Chorley with two games to go.

Andrew Teague gave Chorley a 23rd minute lead at the Tunrbull Ground against the Seasiders, who grabbed an equaliser three minutes into the second half through Graeme Armstrong. It was the second time the Magpies have been held to a draw by Whitby this season – and it might yet prove costly.

AFC Fylde’s long unbeaten run came to an end as two Jordan Hempenstall goals just after half-time helped Grantham Town to a shock 2-1 victory at Kellamergh Park.

Fylde dominated the first half seeing no less than ten efforts thwarted by the inspired Grantham keeper Dan Haystead, and the score remained goalless at half-time. But Hempenstall’s goals inside the opening five minutes of the second period gave Grantham a shock lead and, despite Richie Allen coming on to reduce the deficit on 64 minutes, the Coasters couldn’t find another way through.

Worksop looked to be out of the race after recent back-to-back defeats against Rushall Olympic and Skelmersdale. But a 1-0 win at Marine AFC on Wednesday and Saturday`s hard-fought 3-2 win against Blyth Spartans at Sandy Lane has lifted them level on points with Fylde.

The Tigers were helped though when Spartans` defender Danny Parker was sent-off after just 17 minutes for after being deemed last man – Leon Mettam netted the resulting penalty. Mettam doubled Worksop`s lead seven minutes later and it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Spartans when Mettam completed his hat-trick with only 32 minutes gone.

But Robbie Dale reduced the arrears for the ten-men just before half-time and then added a second on the hour-mark to make the home team and crowd very nervy.

Marine`s 3-2 home defeat by Ilkeston FC kept Frickley Athletic with an outside chance of survival, while the Yorkshire side`s defeat at Rushall made Kevin Wilson`s side safe for another season.

At the Arriva Stadium, Andy Fowler gave the Mariners an early seventh minute lead but Mike Williams equalised after 34 minutes and 10 minutes later Rob Duffy gave the Robins the lead. And then nine minutes from time, Laurie Wilson made it 3-1 to the visitors, although Fowler`s second six minutes later ensured a nervous end for the visitors.

Christian Dacres bagged a brace for the Pics at Dales Lane to keep Frickley deep in trouble but keep Ilkeston up.

He scored in the 36th and 51st minutes and was added to by goals from James Spencer after 56 minutes and Stanley Mugisha on 81 minutes, with all the Blues could muster in reply being an 85th Gavin Allott effort.

Frickley are now five points from safety, meaning a point for Marine against either leaders Chorley on Easter Monday or against Matlock Town on the final day, would send the Yorkshire side down – assuming they earn maximum points themselves, of course.

Elsewhere on Saturday, relegated Stafford Rangers ended a six-game win-less run with a 2-1 success at Trafford, thanks to an Andy Griffiths brace in the eighth and 31st minutes, with Martyn Andrews replying 12 minutes from time.

Stocksbridge Park Steels, who follow Rangers down, shared a goalless draw at Bracken Moor with King`s Lynn Town, while rock-bottom Droylsden`s latest defeat came at Silverlands against Buxton, for whom Lee Morris after 40 minutes, Mark Reed immediately after the break, Sam Brooks on 67 minutes and Craig King on 75 were on target, with Keano Deacon and Jake Parker pulling two back for the young Bloods in the last seven minutes.

Witton Albion won 2-0 at Barwell, courtesy of goals from Scott Bakkor after seven minutes and Danny Andrews 14 minutes from the end, while Nantwich Town and Matlock Town shared a 1-1 draw at the Weaver Stadium in which Danny Holland gave the Gladiators an 11th minute lead that Alex Frost cancelled out four minutes after half-time.