Saturday's Premier Division review

Saturday turned out to be a very good day for Skelmersdale United in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Skem hammered third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels 6-0 - Matty Hughes became the player to grab the historic 1,000th goal under Tommy Lawson's leadership – and they saw their lead increased to four points after second-placed Chorley were held to a goalless draw at Victory Park by Buxton.

Jack Laird scored Skem's first at the West Lancs College Stadium after 22 minutes and Dean Astbury added a second on the half-hour mark. Hughes netted the 1,000th goal a minute after half-time, and then Ashley Dunn made it 4-0 with only eight minutes of the second half gone. Astbury went on to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 55th and 73rd minutes.

It was a tight game in blustery conditions as Chorley and Buxton drew 0-0. However, there was a very good crowd of 748 on traditionally a bad day for attendances.

Worksop Town missed the opportunity to go into Christmas in second spot after they also had to be content with a point from a draw with Frickley Athletic at Westfield Lane. However, the Tigers came back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw.

Gavin Allott scrambled the ball in from close range to put the Blues ahead on five minutes and doubled the lead from the penalty spot after 18 minutes. Connor Higginson pulled a goal back after 25 minutes and Allott then saw his 27th minute penalty saved by goalkeeper Jan Butz before Leon Mettam equalised from the spot after 63 minutes after a handball offence by Steve Gardner.

To make it an even better day for Skelmersdale, another of the contenders, AFC Fylde, were beaten 2-0 at The Walks by King's Lynn Town. Marc Goodfellow gave the Linnets the breakthrough after 54 minutes and then in injury-time, Sam Mulready doubled their advantage to make sure of victory.

FC United of Manchester moved level on points with the Coasters in fifth after a 2-0 success at Gigg Lane against Barwell in front of a crowd of 1,661.

FC United made it ten games unbeaten with two late headers from Matthew Wolfenden after 75 minutes and Tom Davies four minutes from time.

Blyth Spartans are hovering three points outside the top five after a 2-1 success at Croft Park against fourth-bottom Stamford AFC. Danny Maguire proved Spartans' hero, bagging a brace in the 29th and 64th minutes, with Jon Challinor's reply for the Daniels coming deep into stoppage time.

Droylsden suffered a twenty-third defeat of a miserable season and will certainly be glad to see the end of 2013! ushall Olympic pushed the Bloods to within two of the 100 goals-against mark when they went nap at the Butcher`s Arms.

Carl Palmer opened the scoring after 16 minutes and Ahmed Obeng on 21 minutes and Jack Duggan three minutes later made it 3-0 before Fernandes Balde reduced the deficit from the spot on 35 minutes. But Stan Mugisha eight minutes after the break and then Gavin Caines from the spot in injury-time completed the rout.

Stafford Rangers are the other bottom four occupant after going down to a 2-0 Marston Road defeat to a Whitby Town side who are now tenth. Richard Pell gave the Seasiders a 17th minute lead that Steve Snaith doubled a couple of minutes into the second half.

Witton Albion are only ahead of the drop zone on goal difference after losing 2-1 at Wincham Park to Ashton United. Jason Gorton put the visitors in front on the half-hour mark. And when Ben Harrison equalised with only 9 minutes remaining, a point looked on the cards for Albion. But Joe O`Neill popped up with a last-gasp winner for United.

Matlock Town and Marine shared a goalless draw at Causeway Lane, while Grantham Town were pushed further towards trouble after being hammered 5-0 on their own patch by inconsistent Nantwich Town.

It was all over bar the shouting at half-time with the Dabbers leading 4-0 with goals from Steve Foster after eight and 39 minutes, Ben Deegan on 24 and Osebi Abadaki on 41 minutes. Harry Clayton`s 69th minute penalty was the only addition to the tally in the second half.

Ilkeston FC and Trafford shared the spoils in the other game on Saturday at the New Manor Ground. Jamie Reid broke the deadlock to give the Robins a 71st mknute lead. But Michael Oates, who has been quiet of late, grabbed an 82nd minute equaliser for Trafford.