Saturday's Premier Division action review

The freezing weather caused five more games in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division to be postponed on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

However, leaders Skelmersdale United managed to get their game on at the West Lancashire College Stadium against lower mid-table Stamford AFC and were 'rewarded' with a 3-0 defeat!

The Daniels blew the title race wide open after goals from Jon Challinor in the 29th and 61st minutes were added to by a Ryan Robbins penalty four minutes from time to record a second successive home defeat for Skem.

They still lead the table by seven points but have played more games than anyone else, including Workington AFC, who moved into second spot following a 2-1 win at The Walks against King's Lynn Town.

In front of a crowd of 532, the Reds long trip across to Norfolk started well when Gareth Arnison put them in front after 38 minutes. Gavin Skelton doubled the Cumbrian's lead on 76 minutes, although they were made to sweat a bit when Leon Mettam pulled one back two minutes from time.

The Reds moved into second spot above Ilkeston FC, whose game at home to play-off chasing Ashton United was off, and above Buxton, who were beaten 2-1 at The Grove by a Halesowen Town side moving ever closer to the top five.

The Yeltz, for whom this was a seventh match without defeat, were in front just before half-time through top marksman Ben Haseley.

The crowd of 507 saw the experienced Iyesden Christie double the home side's lead on the hour-mark, with Greg Young's response coming in stoppage time.

Grantham Town moved to within four points of the play-off places after a 3-1 win against a Witton Albion side who are back in trouble at the other end of the table.

Ben Saunders gave the Gingerbreads a sixth minute lead that Danny Andrews cancelled out from the spot after 35 minutes. Rhys Lewis restored the home side's advantage four minutes after the break and then Liam Kay made sure with a third for Adam Stevens` side eight minutes later.

That loss for Witton became even more important after news of Matlock Town's `six-pointer` victory against another of the strugglers, Marine AFC, at Causeway Lane.

The Mariners took a 42nd minute lead through Lloyd Ellams, but crucially Danny Holland levelled just two minutes after the break. Holland then put the Gladiators in front with 13 minutes remaining, new loan signing Ted Cribley adding a third in the 87th minute.

Saturday's other game saw a 31st minute penalty from Matty Bloor prove enough for Frickley Athletic to beat Stourbridge 1-0 at Westfield Lane.