Saturday's Premier Division action review

The exception were fifth-placed Nantwich Town, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Weaver Stadium by leaders Blyth Spartans.

The Dabbers got off to a great start when Andy white gave them an early sixth minute lead. But Nathan Buddle equalised after 23 minutes.

Midway through the second half and Blyth had a great chance to take the lead when Nantwich`s Lewis Short was shown a straight red card for a challenge that led to a penalty being awarded. But the normally reliable Robbie Dale saw his spot-kick saved by keeper Terry Smith.

However, six minutes from time Ryan Hutchinson powered home a header to win it for the visitors.

Second-placed Salford City dealt Buxton`s play-off challenge a blow with a 2-0 Moor Lane win that leaves them still four points behind Blyth.

A crowd of 707 saw Josh Hine give the Ammies a 36th minute lead that John Johnston doubled right on the stroke of half-time – a goal that eventually proved enough.

Third-placed Workington AFC also dented another side hoping to make a charge towards the top five in Halesowen Town.

The Reds won 3-0 at Borough Park, taking a 19th minute lead through Jacob Simpson. Gareth Arnison added a second in the 25th minute, and then Conor Tinnion finally made it 3-0 with a couple of minutes remaining of normal time.

Ashton United remain in fourth spot after beating lower mid-table Grantham Town 2-0 at Hurst Cross.

The home side got off to a great start when Chris Baguley put them in front after less than two minutes. However, it wasn`t until four minutes from time that the hosts were able to put the Gingerbreads out of the game when Martin Pilkington added the second goal.

Darlington 1883 pulled to within a point of fifth-placed Nantwich after a comfortable 3-0 Heritage Park win against Colwyn Bay.

A crowd of 1,077 saw Terry Galbraith break the deadlock against a battling second-bottom Bay with a 53rd minute penalty. Kevin Burgess then quickly doubled the Quakers lead three minutes later and the same player made it 3-0 with eight minutes remaining.

Barwell and Stourbridge both remain top five contenders after victories on Saturday.

Barwell are just a point behind the Quakers after securing a 2-1 win at Marine AFC, who are now level on points with fourth-bottom Whitby Town.

Owen Story gave the Canaries a 10th minute lead that Danny Mitchley cancelled out four minutes before the break. Jamie Towers restored the visitors` lead six minutes after the restart and they held on to that advantage.

Stourbridge completed a 3-1 Amblecote victory over a Skelmersdale United side who are also in trouble, just three points in front of the Mariners.

They had the lead too when Max Hazeldine scored after 25 minutes. But the Glassboys were level eight minutes later through Karl Hawley and in front two minutes after that with a Matthew Dodd effort. Dan Scarr made sure of the points with a third for Gary Hackett`s side just past the hour-mark.

Rushall Olympic and Ilkeston FC also cannot be counted out of a top five challenge, although the Pics could only manage a point from a 1-1 draw at Mickleover Sports, whose Andy Dales gave them a 53rd minute breakthrough. Alex Reid equalised 10 minutes later, but the visitors couldn`t find a winner.

Ilkeston, however, severely damaged Sutton Coldfield Town`s own hopes of a challenge with a 2-0 win at Coles Lane.

Jack Blake gave the Robins a 19th minute lead. But it wasn`t until stoppage time at the end of the game that the visitors could feel safe when Dexter Atkinson added a second.

Goals from Jacob Hazel, loanee James Walshaw and Tyler Williams saw mid-table Frickley Athletic comfortably defeat rock-bottom Ramsbottom United, who are now fifteen points adrift of the safety-mark.

Hazel put the Blues head with a fine individual effort on 17 minutes and Walshaw doubled the lead immediately after half-time before another piece of individual skill from Williams saw him fire in the third goal in the 63rd minute.

Matlock Town made it three wins out of four games with a 2-1 Causeway Lane win over the team immediately below them in the table, Hyde United.

But they had to come back from being a seventh minute Ayrton Bevins goal down to win, courtesy of Laurie Wilson a minute before the break and then Niall McManus 13 minutes from time.

Stamford AFC climbed above Colwyn Bay into third-bottom spot after sharing a 2-2 draw at the Zeeco Arena against fourth-bottom Whitby Town.

The six-pointer saw the Seasiders race into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes through Michael Roberts and Matty Waters.

But the Daniels battled back, with Jake Newman reducing the deficit from the spot on 33 minutes and then another recent recruit, Chris Bacon, equalising with 14 minutes to go.

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