Saturday's Premier Division review

Chorley reduced the gap at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division table to just one point after they beat Grantham Town on Saturday and leaders Skelmersdale United were held to a draw at Whitby Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

At the Turnbull Ground, Steve Snaith gave the Seasiders an eighth minute lead that Graeme Armstrong doubled six minutes into the second half. Just two minutes later Skem responded to reduce the arrears through Tom Ince and then Dean Astbury grabbed the equaliser after 65 minutes.

At Victory Park, Ashley Burbeary gave Grantham the lead in the 20th minute. The Magpies recovered to level through James Dean 16 minutes later and then went ahead on 64 minutes, courtesy of Josh Hine. Dale Whitham made sure the points stayed in Chorley when he made it 3-1 with 14 minutes to go.

Worksop Town's title hopes took a blow when they went down to a 3-2 defeat at play-off hopefuls AFC Fylde.

It was a see-saw encounter that finally saw the Coasters secure a first win in seven league games. Joe Booth fired Fylde into an early third minute lead, turning in Matty Blinkhorn’s square ball. But six minutes before the break, the Tigers were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mitch Husbands which was duly converted by Jack Muldoon. And then, a minute before the break, Husbands smashed home to give the visitors an interval lead.

But on 58 minutes, record scorer Richie Allen, back from a spell with Nelson, crossed for Booth to head into the path of Blinkhorn, who slotted home. And on 63 minutes, what proved to be the winner came from another of Allen’s crosses which was smashed into his own net by Tigers` defender Jake Scott.

King's Lynn Town and Rushall Olympic complete the top five and both won 2-1 away from home on Saturday.

Lynn earned victory at Trafford, thanks to goals from Rob Duffy from the spot after 23 minutes and Ewan Clarke 10 minutes later, despite Nia Bayunu`s 45th minute reply, while, although Lee Morris scored his fifteenth goal of the season to give Buxton an early sixth minute lead at Silverlands, Carl Palmer on 57 minutes and veteran Dele Adebola 10 minutes later, turned it around to give Rushall their victory.

FC United of Manchester fell out of the top five after being held to a 3-3 draw at the New Manor Ground by Ilkeston FC.

A crowd of just under 1,000 saw a thriller in which Greg Daniels broke the deadlock for the visitors six minutes before half-time. But Ilkeston drew level three minutes after the interval through James Reid, only for Tom Greaves to edge FC United in front with 18 minutes to go.

Ilkeston hit back instantly from the restart with a second from Reid and again five minutes later through Joe Maguireto make in 3-2 with 10 minutes to go. Just when it looked like the visitors were heading for defeat, Greaves popped up with his second of the match to rescue a point.

At the other end of the table, bottom-markers Droylsden's search for their first win continues after a 4-0 defeat at the Weaver Stadium by Nantwich Town, for whom Ben Deegan after two minutes, Max Harrop right on half-time, Aaron Burns six minutes after the restart and Steve Foster were all on target.

New Stafford Rangers boss Graham Heathcote watched as his side won the `six-pointer` against third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels at Marston Road.

Nathan Joynes gave the visitors a 37th minute lead that crucially James McCarthy levelled five minutes before the break. And then Karl Ashton five minutes into the second half and Dan Cope two minutes from time, pushed Rangers to within three points of their opponents, although still fourteen adrift of the safety mark.

The games at Barwell and Matlock Town both fell victim of the wet weather, but elsewhere, Michael Monaghan bagged a brace as Marine AFC beat Frickley Athletic 2-1 at the Arriva Stadium. Monaghan`s goals came in the 29th and 56th minutes, with top scorer Gavin Allott replying eight minutes from time.