Saturday's Premier Division review

Skelmersdale United's lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division was cut to just a single point after second-placed Chorley won the game of the day at Victory Park in emphatic style, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of the biggest crowd of the season to date in the NPL - 1,968 - Paul Jarvis gave the Magpies a 26th minute lead that James Dean doubled on 39 minutes. The recently-returned Jack Dorney then handed the hosts a comfortable half-time lead when he added number three a minute before the break. Tom Hardwick pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 54th minute but former Skem striker Josh Hine wrapped up the points for Chorley six minutes from time.

Worksop Town maintained third place after a 3-1 win at Kirkby Road against a Barwell side slipping dangerously close to the bottom four.

The Canaries got off to a great start though when Kevin Charley put them in front after less than two minutes had elapsed. But just two minutes later the Tigers were back on level terms through Jamie Jackson and then Tom Denton gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Evan Garnett made it 3-1 with 11 minutes remaining to confirm victory,

AFC Fylde stay fourth after a 2-1 success at the Arriva Stadium against Marine.

But they too had to come back from behind when Joe Fowler converted a 21st minute spot-kick. Richie Allen equalised seven minutes before half-time and then Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick won it for the Coasters in stoppage time at the end of the game.

King's Lynn Town still occupy the final play-off spot, despite going down to a 2-0 defeat at Causeway Lane against mid-table Matlock Town. Lewis McMahon was the Linnets` destroyer, bagging a brace with goals in the 38th and 71st minutes.

Ashton United could have gone above Lynn, but they were held to a 3-3 draw at Hurst Cross by a Blyth Spartans side who could also have taken a top five spot with a win.

The six-goal thriller started with Matty Chadwick giving the home side the boost of an early third minute lead. Matthew Wade equalised on 22 minutes and the sides went into half-time all-square. Martin Pilkington restored Ashton's lead 11 minutes after the restart, only for Lewis Horner to pull Spartans back on terms five minutes later. Arran Wearmouth then looked to have won it for the visitors when he made it 3-2 with just eight minutes remaining but Chadwick grabbed his second and his side`s leveller in time added on.

Whitby Town sandwich those two teams in the table after edging out FC United of Manchester by the odd goal in five at the Turnbull Ground.

Boosted by a good number of FC United followers who made trip to the seaside, a crowd of 818 saw Graeme Armstrong give the home side the boost of an early eighth minute lead. Adam Jones equalised on the half-hour mark, only for Steve Snaith to re-claim the lead for the hosts a couple of minutes into the second period. Tom Greaves then pulled the Rebels back on terms on the hour-mark but Armstrong won it for Whitby with less than six minutes to go.

Stafford Rangers won the `six-pointer` at the other end of the table against a still win-less Droylsden, but Graham Heathcote`s side are still twelve points from the safety-mark.

But they did what they had to do at Marston Road in front of a crowd of 428, taking an early fourth minute lead through Dan Cope. New loan signing from Stockport County, Ian Craney, added a second 12 minutes later and then James McCarthy made it 3-0 in the 57th minute. Sam Madeley reduced the deficit with 20 minutes to go but the Bloods never really threatened a comeback.

Witton Albion also won a crucial relegation battle at Wincham Park against fellow strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Chris Simm gave Albion a 22nd minute lead, but it wasn`t until Michael Powell added a second 12 minutes into the second half that they could relax a little. Nick Swirad pulled one back with seven minutes to go but Steels were killed off by a Danny Andrews brace in the 85th and 90th minutes.

Witton are now only a couple of points behind fifth-bottom Frickley Athletic after the Yorkshire side were beaten by the same scoreline at Trafford.

Michael Oates, who hasn't been as prolific this term, opened the scoring in the 25th minute. However, similarly to events at Wincham Park, it wasn't until Oates bagged his second on 67 minutes that Frickley looked beaten. Martyn Andrews added a third on 73 minutes and Shelton Payne a fourth 10 minutes later, with Jake Picton scoring a last-gasp consolation for the Blues.

Grantham Town did their hopes of staying up a power of good with a fine 2-0 win at the New Manor Ground against inconsistent Ilkeston FC. Paul Grimes, who returned from Brigg Town in midweek, broke the deadlock to give the Gingerbreads a 57th minute lead and Paul Lister added a second with five minutes remaining to make sure.