Saturday's Premier Division action review

Leaders Blyth Spartans extended their advantage at the top to eight points after they hammered bottom-markers Ramsbottom United 5-0 at Croft Park, while second-placed Workington AFC were beaten 1-0 at the Turnbull Ground by lowly but in-form Whitby Town.

In front of a crowd of 550, it was a special day for Spartans` pacey former Middlesbrough, ASC Poli Timisoara, Barnsley and Darlington 1883 striker Wilson Kneeshaw, who netted all five goals in the sixth, 13th, 83rd, 85th and 90th minutes.

Robbie Dale had the chance to spoil that full set when he stepped up to take a penalty in the 88th minute but the normally reliable skipper saw Grant Shenton deny the top scorer with a fine save.

Whitby`s sixth game without defeat came courtesy of a goal from Michael Roberts four minutes into the second half and brought to an end the Reds` own six-game unbeaten run.

The big game of the day took place at Moor Lane where 881 saw Darlington slip into third place, replacing hosts Salford City after an odd-goal-in-five victory.

A dramatic fight back saw Darlington score four second half goals to claim three crucial points against their promotion rivals.

The Ammies were 2-0 up with goals from Josh Hine after 22 minutes and Chris Lynch two minutes later.

The Quakers reduced the deficit through Tom Portas on the hour-mark but went 3-1 behind in the 62nd minute to a Danny Webber effort.

But the visitors` clawed themselves back into the game with a Lee Gaskell brace in the 70th and 76th minutes. They then leap-frogged Salford in the table, thanks to Nathan Cartman’s winner three minutes from the end of a thrilling contest.

Barwell occupy the final play-off spot after beating Hyde United 2-0 at Kirkby Road.

Jamie Towers gave the Canaries the lead on the half-hour mark and they made sure of the points with a second seven minutes into the second half from Joe Ballinger.

Stourbridge are sixth, just a point behind the Leicestershire outfit, after beating third-bottom Colwyn Bay by the same scoreline at Amblecote.

However, it took 75 minutes for the Glassboys to break down the Welsh side when Daniel Scarr opened the scoring. And they ensured the points stayed this side of the border with a second from Ashley Vincent in stoppage time.

Nantwich Town moved back up to seventh, thanks to their 3-0 win over Halesowen Town and Ashton United`s home defeat by Rushall Olympic.

The Dabbers opened the scoring at the Weaver Stadium through Sean Cooke after 12 minutes. A minute before half-time, Elliot Osborne doubled the home side`s lead. And on the hour-marl Matty Bell made sure with a third.

Ashton led through Jason Gorton`s 22nd minute effort at Hurst Cross. After a delayed start to the second half when one of the assistants was taken ill, Adam Morning doubled Ashton`s lead after 53 minutes.

Alex Reid reduced the deficit on the hour-mark and nine minutes later Jamie Spencer equalised. Kidderminster Harriers loanee scored his second to win it for the Pics 15 minutes from time.

Sutton Coldfield Town are tenth after Aaron Forde`s 51st minute goal eventually proved enough at a now fifth-bottom Mickleover Sports.

Frickley Athletic`s good recent run of results came to an abrupt end as they went down to an 87th minute headed goal by Jake Newman at second-bottom Stamford AFC.

Skelmersdale United pushed themselves six points clear of the drop zone after beating much-changed Ilkeston FC 2-1 at Stormy Corner.

Dylan Vassallo gave Skem an early ninth minute lead that Michael Williams cancelled out two minutes into the second period. But Robbie Booth won it for the home side with 12 minutes to go.

Fourth-bottom Marine AFC also gained a vital three points after beating Matlock Town 2-1 at the Marine Travel Arena in a dramatic finale.

The Mariners first league win since November didn`t look likely as they trailed to Laurie Wilson`s penalty on the hour-mark going into stoppage time.

Lewis Codling equalised and looked to have earned a point for the home side, only for Danny Mitchley to hold his nerve seconds later to win it from the spot.

That meant that Grantham Town`s 3-0 defeat at Silverlands to Buxton has pulled them back towards trouble.

Alex Wiles gave the Bucks a fifth minute lead that Jamie Green doubled 10 minutes later. Ashley Worsfold threatened a real hammering when he made it 3-0 with only 39 minutes gone on the clock, but that`s how the scoreline remained

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