Saturday's Premier Division action review

Buxton made the most of EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders Skelmersdale United's inactivity to reduce the gap at the top of the table to eight points with three games in hand, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Bucks won 1-0 at the Turnbull Ground against lower mid-table Whitby Town, courtesy of a goal nine minutes from time by Shaun Tuton.

Third-placed Ilkeston FC were held to a goalless draw by improving Halesowen Town at The Grove in front of a crowd of 520 to leave Kevin Wilson's side a point behind Buxton but with three games in hand on them – and six on the leaders.

Elsewhere, it turned out to be a mixed day on Tameside.

Fourth-placed Curzon Ashton slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Croft Park to a Blyth Spartans side who cannot be ruled out of the play-off equation, despite a heavy fixture pile-up due to their FA Cup exploits, while Ashton United drew level on points with their neighbours after a best of five win against Workington AFC.

Matt Warburton gave Curzon the lead five minutes before half-time at Blyth, who equalised three minutes after the restart through Danny Maguire.

A draw looked on the cards until the majority in the 503 crowd celebrated an injury-time winner from Michael Richardson.

At Hurst Cross, Matty Tymon gave the visiting Reds a 15th minute lead that was cancelled out less than two minutes later by Martin Pilkington.

Jack Higgins then gave Ashton the lead four minutes before half-time and Sam Wilson made it 3-1 with 15 minutes to go. Gareth Arnison reduced the arrears in the 84th minute, but Ashton held firm to leap-frog their visitors into fifth spot.

Barwell moved to within three points of the top five after a 1-0 home win over bottom-markers Belper Town, thanks to a 21st minute Alex Tomkinson effort.

The Canaries moved above Grantham Town into eighth after the Gingerbreads were held to a 3-3 draw at The Meres by King's Lynn Town.

Sam Mulready gave the Linnets a 22nd minute lead that recent signing Leon Mettam doubled from the penalty spot just four minutes later. Ben Saunders reduced the deficit three minutes later and then seven minutes after the break Scott Hellewell equalised.

Six minutes later the home side led for the first time with Saunders' second of the game, only for Henry Eze to level matters with less than three minutes remaining.

Stourbridge still hold onto outside hopes of mounting a top five challenge after edging out Stamford AFC by the odd goal in five on the Daniels new stadium.

Kayelden Brown gave the Glassboys a great start with a goal inside four minutes. Brian Smikle added number two just before the half-hour mark but the hosts pulled back on level terms before half-time.

Nathan Fox struck after 35 minutes and top scorer Ryan Robbins grabbed another five minutes later before Brown's second of the game won it for the visitors with 12 minutes to go.

At the other end of the table, Matlock Town earned a crucial 3-0 win over fifth-bottom Witton Albion and are now just a place and four points behind the Cheshire side with a game in hand.

Two goals just before the interval proved crucial for the Gladiators. Otis Khan put them in front after 40 minutes and four minutes later Muhammed Sabo added number two.

Neil McManus then made the points safe with a third just past the hour-mark.

Second-bottom Trafford FC earned a goalless draw at the Weaver Stadium against Nantwich Town under their new management while third-bottom Marine AFC also shared the points in a 1-1 Dales Lane draw with Rushall Olympic.

Aaron Williams broke Mariners` hearts with a last-gasp stoppage time equaliser after new loan signing Tom Peers had given the visitors a 30th minute lead.