Saturday's Premier Division action review

On a day when all of the promotion contenders won, it was vital that Spartans maintained their form going into the busy festive period. And they just managed it, edging out mid-table Stourbridge by the odd goal in seven at Croft Park, courtesy of a last-gasp winner.

The Glassboys raced into a 2-0 lead with two goal in three minutes starting in the 13th through Stuart Pierpoint, with Justin Richards adding the second.

Sean Reid reduced the arrears in the 33rd minute and then Robbie Dale equalised six minutes later, only for the visitors to have their half-time lead, thanks to Karl Hawley two minutes after that.

Stephen Turnbull`s penalty restored parity in the 68th minute, but just as it looked as through the Glassboys were going to earn a point, Alex Nicholson popped up with a stoppage time winner for Tom Wade`s side.

That win proved important as the teams in second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth all won.

Second-placed Nantwich Town were 3-0 winners at The Meres against a Grantham Town side who had found some form in recent weeks. But second half goals from Matty Bell after 55 minutes, Josh Hancock a minute later and Sean Cooke in injury-time sealed a comfortable win for the Dabbers.

Kyle May`s 65th minute effort eventually proved enough for third-placed Workington AFC at Kirkby Road against mid-table Barwell, while Salford City returned to the bread and butter of the league with a best-of-five win at Dales Lane against Rushall Olympic.

The Ammies led 2-0 at the break with goals from Ritchie Allen on the half-hour mark and Jamie Poole six minutes later. Jake Heath pulled the Pics back into the game five minutes after the break, only for Jordan Hulme to restore the visitors` two-goal advantage five minutes later. Malachi Lavell-Moore pulled a second back for the hosts to give the Ammies a nervy last nine minutes.

Darlington 1883 who, along with Salford, have games in hand on the top three, won 3-1 at Ewen Fields against Hyde United.

Lee Gaskell proved to be the Quakers` hero with a hat-trick in the 16th, 51st and 68th minutes – Spencer Harris replying 17 minutes from time.

Hyde`s Tameside neighbours Ashton United are just a point behind Darlington, however, after they recorded a 2-1 win at Stormy Corner against Skelmersdale United.

Adam Morning broke the deadlock to give the visitors the lead a minute before half-time. And then right from the restart Joe Connor took Ashton into the break two-up. Rob McIntosh `won` the second half for Skem with a 76th minute reply, but the visitors held on.

That defeat leaves Skem in fifth-bottom spot, although they do hold a six-point advantage over the drop zone, as do the team now immediately above Skem, neighbours Marine AFC, who enjoyed a useful point from a goalless draw at the New Manor Ground against seventh-placed Ilkeston FC.

The bottom two, Ramsbottom United and Stamford AFC, met at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium and neither will be particularly happy with a point from a 1-1 draw in which Shelton Payne`s 24th minute penalty was cancelled out by Elliot Hodge – son of former England and Forest midfielder Steve – just two minutes later.

But there were defeats for the two other teams in the bottom four – Whitby Town and Colwyn Bay.

Jordan Goddard`s 38th minute effort ended a run of nine league games without a win for Sutton Coldfield Town at the Turnbull Ground against fourth-bottom Whitby, while Bay were beaten 4-1 at home by Matlock Town.

Joel Purkiss after five minutes and Laurie Wilson eight minutes later gave the Gladiators breathing space. John Marsden reduced the arrears 11 minutes into the second half, but Ted Cribley after 79 minutes and Niall McManus four minutes from time, stretched the Gladiators` lead.

Buxton also hit four at Silverlands against another of the strugglers, Mickleover Sports.

But the Bucks needed a seventh minute jolt from Anthony Griffiths-Jnr to go into the break 2-1 up through Liam Hardy after 26 minutes and Bradley Barraclough right on the whiste. Hardy went on to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 72nd and 87th minutes.

Halesowen Town were looking to move closer to the top five before the busy festive period when they entertained Frickley Athletic at The Grove.

Nathanial Waite gave the Yeltz the lead three minutes into the second half, but the Blues earned a share of the spoils, thanks to Bradley Grayson`s 80th minute leveller.

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