Saturday's Premier Division action review

Saturday was a good day for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division leaders Skelmersdale United, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

They moved ten points clear at the top of the table after a comfortable 3-0 win at King's Lynn Town, and although Tommy Lawson's men have played more games than their title rivals, they have the points on the board.

A crowd of 548 at The Walks saw mid-table Lynn blown away by a Danny Mitchley hat-trick which began in the seventh minute. He notched his second from the penalty spot after 22 minutes and completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute.

Second and third-placed sides Ilkeston FC and Buxton could only manage draws on Saturday.

The Robins were held 1-1 at the New Manor Ground by Whitby Town, whose Niall Doran broke the deadlock after 65 minutes. Rai Simons rescued a point for the home side six minutes later.

The Bucks were held by the same scoreline at Wincham Park by lowly Witton Albion.

Ashley Palmer put the visitors in front after 20 minutes but Danny Andrews earned an Albion side now seven points clear of the drop zone a share of the spoils with the leveller 10 minutes into the second half.

Fourth-placed Curzon Ashton eased to a 3-1 Tameside Stadium win over lowly Stamford AFC, while Workington AFC remain fifth after edging out mid-table Rushall Olympic by the odd goal in five at Borough Park.

Niall Cummins gave Curzon an early seventh minute lead that Sam Walker doubled from the spot on the half-hour mark. Matthew Warburton added a third for the home side six minutes after the break, with Nabil Shariff`s spot-kick being the Daniels` only consolation in the 71st minute.

Ashton United maintained the pressure on the top five after winning 1-0 at struggling Matlock Town in Mark Hume`s first game in charge of the Gladiators, Dale Johnson scoring the all-important goal after 21 minutes for Paul Phillips and Steve Halford`s side.

Grantham Town and Barwell also kept themselves in the play-off hunt after good away victories.

The Gingerbreads won 2-1 at Amblecote against Stourbridge, taking a first-minute lead through Paul Grimes and then seeing Ben Saunders` 54th minute second prove enough after Brian Smikle's equaliser five minutes before half-time.

Barwell triumphed 3-1 at Westfield Lane against Frickley Athletic, who fell behind to a second minute Jack Colley effort. The Blues levelled six minutes into the second half through Reece Thompson, but late goals from Callum Woodward after 81 minutes and then Jamie Towers in injury-time won it for the Canaries.

The bottom four are now in danger of being cast adrift.

Both bottom side Belper Town and second-bottom Trafford`s games were off on Saturday, but third-bottom Marine AFC got a point from their home game against Halesowen Town, who were gifted a 26th minute lead courtesy of a James Foley own goal.

Recent recruit Liam Blake salvaged a point for the Mariners in the 77th minute to leave them a point behind Matlock, but the gap to safety is now seven points.