Saturday's Premier Division action review

Skelmersdale United moved nine points clear at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division table on Saturday after winning 1-0 at Trafford, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Tommy Lawson's side left it very late against second-bottom Trafford – Kenny Strickland scoring the vital goal with less than three minutes of the match remaining.

Buxton lost second spot after going down to a 2-1 defeat at Silverlands against lower mid-table Stamford AFC.

Jordan Smith gave the Daniels a 32nd minute lead that Dan Lawlor eventually added to just past the hour-mark. All the Bucks could muster in reply was an 88th minute penalty by Laurie Wilson.

Ilkeston FC`s 2-1 win against play-off chasing Barwell took them a point above Buxton with three games in hand.

A crowd of 504 saw the Robins fall behind to a 24th minute Anthony Carney effort. But five minutes before half-time James Reid equalised and then top scorer Rob Duffy notched his 16th goal of the season to win it for Kevin Wilson`s side seven minutes into the second period.

Fourth-placed Curzon Ashton`s home game with Ramsbottom United was off, leaving tenants FC United of Manchester to move to within a point of them in fifth after winning 2-0 at neighbouring Ashton United.

A crowd of 1,067 at Hurst Cross saw Matt Wolfenden give the Reds the lead on the half-hour mark. But it wasn`t until five minutes from time that the majority in the crowd could relax when Craig Lindfield added their second.

Relegated Workington AFC are now looking dangerous after their comfortable 3-0 Borough Park victory over Whitby Town moved the Reds into sixth place, just a couple of points behind FC United.

In front of a crowd of 516, Connor Tinnion put the home side ahead two minutes before the break. Three minutes after it Gareth Arnison doubled the Reds' advantage and he added his second to make it game over with nine minutes remaining.

Grantham Town remain in top five contention after a 2-0 win at fourth-bottom Matlock Town moved the Gingerbreads up to eighth in the table, just four points adrift of the play-off places.

Danny Meadows gave the visitors a 14th minute lead at Causeway Lane and then Tom Batchelor added number two within two minutes of the second half getting underway.

Stourbridge are also not out of the equation yet after a 3-0 Amblecote victory over a Witton Albion outfit who had won their last two games to move clear of the drop zone.

In front of 404, big former Kidderminster Harriers defender Exodus Geohaghon put the Glassboys in front in the eighth minute. Kayleden Brown made it 2-0 in the 20th minute and victory was confirmed with a third from George Bowerman just past the hour-mark.

Marine AFC remain in deep trouble and seven points adrift of the safety mark after Nantwich Town snatched a 1-0 Arriva Stadium victory, courtesy of former Mariner Aaron Burns` goal right on the stroke of half-time.

Bottom-markers Belper Town are aleady looking like needing snookers to get out of trouble after a 3-0 Christchurch Meadow defeat by Rushall Olympic means the Nailers are ten points behind fifth-bottom Frickley Athletic.

All the goals came in the second half, with Carl Palmer breaking the deadlock to give the Pics a 71st minute lead that Connor Deards 10 minutes later, and then Jake Heath in injury-time, added to.

The remaining game between well-matched mid-table sides King`s Lynn Town and Halesowen Town ended goalless in front of 507 at The Walks.