Saturday's Premier Division review

Skelmersdale United increased their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division table on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Ilkeston FC at the West Lancashire College Stadium, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

With second-placed Chorley in FA Trophy action, Skem had the opportunity to move further in front of a Magpies` side who now possess four games in hand. Mattie Hughes gave Tommy Lawson's side an early sixth minute lead that Dean Astbury doubled just before the half-hour mark.

Worksop Town had the chance to move closer to Chorley when they entertained Trafford at Sandy Lane.

It started well enough for the Tigers as a Marc Goodfellow corner was headed home by the returning Jamie Jackson in the 14th minute. And they held that lead until the hour-mark when Trafford equalised with a 35-yard thunderbolt from Tom Schofield. That gave the visitors more confidence and six minutes from time they won it through Shelton Payne.

King's Lynn Town are fourth after a 3-1 win against Buxton at The Walks in front of a crowd of 653.

The Linnets, who went into the game already enjoying their best run of the season, extended it, thanks to goals from Ewan Clarke after 36 minutes, George Thomson on 51 minutes and from Jake Jones three minutes later, who on Thursday night, signed on a permanent basis from Tamworth. Matt Thornhill reduced the deficit in the 67th minute, but the Bucks rarely threatened to salvage anything from the game.

Only four points separate Lynn from tenth-placed Whitby Town as the league heads for a fascinating fight for play-off places. And four of the sides in the mix faced each other on Saturday.

AFC Fylde and Ashton United, met on the West coast and a goal five minutes before half-time from Daniel Lloyd-McGoldrick won it for the Coasters. At Rushall Olympic and Whitby Town they were even fewer goals as they shared a goalless draw at Dales Lane.

FC United of Manchester were without a game and the other side in that batch of clubs, Blyth Spartans, hammered second-bottom Stafford Rangers 6-2 at Croft Park.

New Rangers boss Graham Heathcote now realises what a hard task he has as Spartans hit his team with three goals in the opening 16 minutes – all scored by Danny Maguire. Ian Watson made it 4-0 with only 22 minutes gone on the clock and Rob Dale made it a nap hand just past the hour-mark.

An own goal from Nathan Buddle two minutes later pulled one back and Andy Griffiths reduced the arrears to three on 72 minutes, only for Matthew Wade to add a sixth for the hosts a minute from time.

Frickley Athletic fought out a goalless draw with fourth-bottom Witton Albion at Westfield Lane. Frickley enjoyed the lions` share of the play but struggled to break a down a stubborn Witton defence, with the visitors only threatening sporadically.

Another side in the bottom four, Stocksbridge Park Steels, shared a 1-1 draw at Bracken Moor against Marine side looking to get into that play-off mix. Michael Monaghan gave the Mariners a 29th minute lead, but they weren`t able to capitalise and Danny South eventually earned Steels a point with a 72nd minute leveller.

Saturday's two other games ended in draws. James Ashmore gave Matlock Town the lead at The Meres against Grantham Town right on half-time. But recent signing Gary King equalised with 12 minutes remaining.

Not far down the A1, Stamford AFC took a second minute lead against Nantwich Town, courtesy of a Ryan Robbins penalty. Aaron Burns pulled the Dabbers back on terms, also from the spot, after 36 minutes and then Steve Foster put the visitors ahead with 65 minutes gone. But seven minutes from time Nabil Shariff grabbed the Daniels a point.