Saturday's Premier Division action review

Leaders Blyth Spartans`s visit to Mickleover Sports was one of those three, however, as was Darlington 1883`s home game against fellow play-off contenders Ilkeston FC.

Second-placed Nantwich Town had the opportunity to move to within two points of Blyth when they entertained struggling Whitby Town at the Weaver Stadium. However, the Seasiders made it four points from their last two games under new boss Chris Hardy with a surprise 2-1 win in which Michael Roberts gave the visitors a 16th minute lead.

Ryan Brobbel took the Seasiders into half-time 2-0 up when he scored a second after 35 minutes. But when Elliot Osborne reduced the arrears just six minutes after the break from the penalty spot, the majority in the 340 crowd sat back waiting for an equaliser which never came.

The Dabbers` defeat allowed Salford City to move level on points with them in third with four games in hand – and two on Blyth – after demolishing mid-table Barwell 7-0 in front of 624 at Moor Lane.

Danny Webber set the ball rolling with a 13th minute opener and three minutes later Jamie Poole doubled their advantage, with Scott Burton adding a third on the half-hour mark.

As conditions worsened, Barwell`s defence crumbled and, after conceding four last time out, were breached four more times in the second half with Poole going on to complete his hat-trick in the 56th and 86th minutes, Jordan Hulme after 76 minutes and Joe Mwasile in stoppage time, adding the others.

Ashton United are fourth after a 3-1 Hurst Cross victory over eventh-placed Buxton.

Jason Gorton put Ashton in front after 18 minutes. But Greg Young eventually pulled the Bucks back on level terms on 65 minutes, only for Steve Mason to restore the home side`s lead less than four minutes later. Chris Baguley confirmed victory for Ashton with a third a minute later.

Ashton moved above Workington AFC after the Reds slipped to fifth following a 2-1 Borough Park defeat by third-bottom Colwyn Bay.

A crowd of 564 saw the Reds lead through Conor Tinnion`s 36th minute effort right until the 87th minute when John Marsden equalised. Rusty Workington, whose last home game was on November 28th, saw Luke Denson break away to score the last minute winner for Bay and it got worse for the Reds when they had Scott Allison dismissed for a bad tackle in injury-time.

Halesowen Town moved up to eighth in the table after a convincing 3-0 win at Marine AFC, who are sliding back towards danger.

Kaiman Anderson opened the Yeltz`s account after 13 minutes and they eventually doubled that 11 minutes into the second half, with Ashley Parsons-Smith the scorer. Malcolm Melvin completed the scoring with Halesowen`s third seven minutes from time.

Stamford AFC gave themselves a lifeline at the bottom end of the table by beating Hyde United 2-1 at the Zeeco Stadium to move to within four points of the safety mark.

Recent signing Jake Newman gave the Daniels a ninth minute lead that Ayrton Bevins cancelled out seven minutes from the break. But Tom McGowan grabbed the hosts` crucial second goal after 69 minutes.

Skelmersdale United are just a couple of points ahead of the drop zone after losing 3-1 at Coles Lane against Sutton Coldfield Town.

Luke Rodgers gave the Royals a 24th minute lead that Chris Almond cancelled out on 36 minutes, only for Dan O`Callaghan to restore the home side`s lead a minute before the break. Ryan Edmunds added a third in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Bottom-markers made it two games unbeaten after surprising play-off chasing Stourbridge at Amblecote.

Jordan Bove gave Rammy the lead on the half-hour mark and it wasn`t until 15 minutes from time that the Glassboys equalised through Leon Broadhurst. But two goals in five minutes from Dan Wilkins put Rammy 3-1 up with 5 minutes to play.

And although Justin Richards reduced the deficit a minute from time, Ramsbottom held on for only their third win of the season to date, although they are still five points behind second-bottom Stamford.

A disappointing display from a depleted Frickley Athletic side saw Rushall Olympic come away with the win in awful conditions at Westfield Lane.

A reshuffled home side seemed to be holding its own until they conceded two soft goals in just over a minute just before half-time. Luke Benbow put the visitors headed on 41 minutes with Alex Reid adding the second straight afterwards.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/