Saturday's Premier Division action review

Darlington 1883 moved to within a point of leaders and North East rivals Blyth Spartans after the Quakers won 2-0 at Grantham Town and the long-time table-toppers suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to mid-table Skelmersdale United.

In front of a crowd of 701 at The Meres, including a good number who had come down the A1 from Darlington, Stephen Thompson broke the deadlock to give the visitors a 65th minute lead. And victory was confirmed three minutes from time through Liam Hardy.

But with other results going Grantham’s way they are now mathematically assured of Premier Division football next season.

Meanwhile, at Croft Park, 787 saw Max Hazeldine give Skem a 36th minute lead. But when Scott Bakkor doubled the visitors` lead nine minutes after the break, alarm bells began to ring. Wilson Kneeshaw reduced the deficit on 68 minutes but Skem held on to do the Quakers a massive favour as they have two games still in hand on Blyth.

Third-placed Salford City are virtually assured of a play-off place, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at the Zeeco Arena by third-bottom Stamford AFC, who are now just a point off the safety-mark. A crowd of 792 saw Tom Batchelor give the Daniels a 15th minute lead that Luke Clark eventually cancelled out in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Three first half goals were enough to secure three points for Stourbridge, despite a second half fight-back by struggling hosts Mickleover Sports.

Justin Richards struck twice in the space of two minutes midway through the first period and then Kristian Green added a third just after the half-hour mark to give the Glassboys a commanding interval lead. Despite producing a stirring second half display, a goal from Zeph Thomas on the hour was all Mickleover had to show for their efforts.

With play-off rivals Salford, Ashton United and Workington AFC all dropping points, it proved to be an excellent day all round for Gary Hackett's men as they moved up to fourth in the table.

They skipped above Ashton, who shared a 2-2 draw at the Weaver Stadium against Nantwich Town, who came back from being a Martin Pilkington goal down on the half-hour mark to lead 2-1 with goals from Sean Cooke in the 67th and 68th minutes. Pilkington`s second 12 minutes from time earned the visitors a share of the spoils.

Workington, meanwhile, became the latest victims of in-form Frickley Athletic, who have lost just once in their last eight games.

John Cyrus gave the Blues an early fourth minute lead at Borough Park and he added his and Frickley`s second after 22 minutes. Kyle May reduced the arrears eight minutes before the break but Jacob Hazel restored the Blues` two-goal cushion 11 minutes from time.

At the other end of the table, it proved to be a decent day for Whitby Town, who moved out of the drop zone after a 1-0 Turnbull Ground win over a Marine AFC outfit who are six points clear of the Seasiders and now fourth-bottom Hyde United.

Dale Hopson scored the all-important goal for Whitby, and they swapped placed with Hyde, who lost 3-1 at Ewen Fields to mid-table Ilkeston FC, who were ahead inside the opening minute, courtesy of Max Thornberry.

Danny Gordon added a second after 18 minutes and, after Ayrton Bevins had reduced the deficit after 57 minutes, a third from Curtis Burrows in injury-time sealed the Robins` win.

Second-bottom Colwyn Bay are almost looking for snookers now after a 3-0 defeat at Kirkby Road against Barwell left them seven points from safety.

Alex Tomkinson after two minutes, Richard Lavery on 33 minutes and then Jamie Towers a minute before the break gave the Canaries victory.

Already-doomed Ramsbottom United were beaten 2-0 at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium by mid-table Halesowen Town, for whom Luke Male after 12 minutes and Kaiman Anderson just before the break were on target.

Elsewhere, Bradley Barraclough scored the only goal six minutes into the second half as Buxton won at Dales Lane against Rushall Olympic, while Charlie Dawes put Matlock Town in front at Coles Lane against Sutton Coldfield Town after 32 minutes, only for Luke Rodgers to level within a minute. Jordan Ball restored the Gladiators` lead four minutes after the restart but Cameron Gayle ensure parity 19 minutes from the end.

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