Saturday's Premier Division review

Skelmersdale United are back on top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division table after beating Rushall Olympic with overnight leaders Chorley surprisingly beaten at home by lower mid-table Barwell writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 697 at Victory Park came to see Chorley look to extend their tenure at the top of the table. However, they were hit by two goals in four minutes by visiting Barwell, the first from new signing Tyrone Kirk after 18 minutes and the second from Luke Barlone.

It took the Magpies time to settle after that and the Canaries held their lead at the break. Adam Mather reduced the deficit seven minutes into the second half but Garry Flitcroft's side couldn`t find a leveller.

That allowed Skem to return to the summit after a late win against Rushall Olympic at the West Lancs College Stadium. It looked as though the Pics were going to hold on for a valuable point until Tom Ince pounced to grab what proved to be the winner in the 87th minute.

AFC Fylde, Worksop Town and FC United of Manchester occupy the remaining top five slots – but none of them managed a win on Saturday.

Fylde were held to a 2-2 draw at Marston Road by second-bottom Stafford Rangers – and it was so nearly a defeat.

The home side led through a Louis Harris brace in the 12th and 45th minutes going into the final nine minutes. Jack Dorney then reduced the arrears but it looked like Rangers would hold out, only for Luke Denson to pop up with an equaliser for the Coasters in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

FC United and Worksop played each other at Gigg Lane and also shared the spoils after a thrilling 4-4.

The Reds were just five minutes away from victory after overturning the Tiger’s 2-0 half-time lead, courtesy of Tom Denton and Jack Muldoon, but a late Leon Mettam effort ensured honours were even. The home side pulled back to 2-2 within just six minutes of the second half through Greg Daniels and Tom Greaves, only for the visitors to edge in front again on the hour-mark via a controversial penalty converted by Mettam.

FC United hit back again six minutes later with Greaves firing in his second equaliser of the match and it looked like Matthew Wolfenden had grabbed all three points when he lashed home a long range volley with 10 minutes to go. But Worksop earned a share of the spoils with their fourth goal five minutes from time, Mettam grabbing his second of the game.

Both Buxton and Blyth Spartans are level on points with FC United, with the Bucks winning 1-0 at Wincham Park against Witton Albion, thanks to a 55th minute Lee Morris goal, but Spartans were held to a 2-2 draw at Croft Park by Marine.

However, the home side will probably have been happy to settle for a point as they were two-down at the break to goals from Joe Fowler after 20 minutes and Michael Monaghan on 33 minutes. A John Shaw own goal reduced the arrears three minutes after the break and then Danny Maguire equalised on 55 minutes.

Bottom-markers Droylsden are still yet to record a win after twenty-three games, but came close against third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels at the Butcher`s Arms.

Nathan Joynes gave the visitors the lead a couple of minutes before half-time, but Dominic Rouse levelled five minutes after the break. And on the hour-mark Rouse gave the Bloods the lead, only for Brett Bowden-Lovell to level six minutes after that. Danny South then broke the home hearts with a third 14 minutes from time.

Fourth-bottom Trafford lost by the same scoreline at Causeway Lane against Matlock Town, who are now ninth.

Simon Hackney gave Trafford a 15th minute lead, but they held that for barely a minute as recent signing Shaun Tuton levelled. Michael Harcourt put the Gladiators ahead five minutes before the interval, only for Paul Ashton to pull the visitors back on terms on 69 minutes. But James Ashmore grabbed Matlock's winner with 15 minutes remaining.

King`s Lynn Town are level on points with Matlock but had to settle for a goalless draw at The Walks against Nantwich Town.

Frickley Athletic were forced to settle for a point after Gavin Allott equalised with a 69th minute penalty after Stamford AFC had taken the lead three minutes earlier.

Nabil Shariff's goal for Stamford came after Frickley had started to put pressure on the visitors goal and, after Allott equalised, the Blues squandered several chances to take all three points.

Gary Gee's goal after 57 minutes eventually proved enough for all three points for visiting Ashton United at Grantham Town, while Whitby Town moved level on points in mid-table with Ilkeston FC after a 2-0 win at the New Manor Ground, courtesy of goals from Graeme Armstrong after six minutes and Lee Bullock on the hour-mark.