Saturday's Premier Division action review

Spartans recovered from their midweek defeat at home to Frickley Athletic to beat strugglers Colwyn Bay and move ten points clear at the top of the table.

Second-bottom Bay fell behind to a 39th minute Michael Richardson effort at Croft Park in front of a crowd of 681. They held firm until the hour-mark when Wilson Kneeshaw eventually doubled Spartans lead and a minute from time skipper Robbie Dale made sure with a third.

Blyth stretched their lead thanks to second-placed Workington AFC only managing a point from their visit to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium to play bottom-markers Ramsbottom United.

The Reds led as early as the sixth minute, thanks to a Kevin McGrath own goal, but couldn`t add to that and were punished in stoppage time at the end of the game when Andy Smart grabbed the equaliser.

Salford City moved into third place after they beat Ilkeston FC 2-0 at Moor Lane, while Darlington 1883 lost 1-0 at fifth-placed Stourbridge.

Danny Webber gave the Ammies the breakthrough in front of a crowd of 889 just two minutes after the break. And a 62nd minute Jordan Hulme second confirmed victory for the hosts.

At Amblecote in front of 818, a Leon Broadhurst thunderbolt on the hour-mark was enough to give Stourbridge all three points against the Quakers.

Karl Hawley held the ball up well and laid it off to Broadhurst 25 yards out, with the Glassboys' midfielder setting himself before driving the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

A 66th minute penalty from Alex Tomkinson was enough to see sixth-placed Barwell beat in-form Frickley Athletic at Kirkby Road.

Tomkinson scored from the spot after Steven Jeff had been adjudged to have brought down substitute Sam Hollis inside the box.

Ashton United are right back in the race for the top five after winning their Tameside derby at Hurst Cross against neighbours Hyde United.

Gary Gee`s 20th minute penalty was all that separated the teams at the interval. But Martin Pilkington after 72 minutes and then Matty Chadwick eight minutes from time sealed a vital win for Ashton and leave the Tigers looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.

At the opposite end of the table, there were big wins for Stamford AFC and Marine AFC but defeat for Whitby Town, who slipped back into the relegation zone after losing 3-1 at the Turnbull Ground to Rushall Olympic.

Stamford beat mid-table Matlock Town 2-0 at the Zeeco Arena, thanks to a brace from Jake Newman after 21 and 87 minutes.

The Mariners edged out another mid-table outfit in Sutton Coldfield Town by the odd goal in three.

Danny Mitchley broke the deadlock to give the hosts a 58th minute lead that Zak Lilly cancelled out just four minutes later. But Andy Nicholas popped up with the Mariners` winner in stoppage time.

Whitby fell behind to a 24th minute Josh McKenzie effort for the Pics. Matty Waters equalised nine minutes later, only for Alex Reid to restore the visitors lead on 46 minutes and then see a Richard Pell own goal four minutes later seal Rushall`s victory.

Grantham Town beat Skelmersdale United 1-0 at Stormy Corner to stay six points clear of the drop zone, Luke Shaw netting after 15 minutes to earn the Gingerbreads their first win on the road since September.

Elsewhere, Buxton led through Bradley Grayson`s 33rd minute effort at Silverlands against Halesowen Town, whose Dan Sweeney levelled just six minutes later.

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