Saturday's Premier Division review

Given the awful weather on Saturday, it was a pleasant surprise that seven of the scheduled twelve matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division went ahead, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Overnight leaders Skelmersdale United`s game at Barwell was one of the victims of a waterlogged pitch and that allowed Chorley to take over at the top after their 3-0 win over struggling Stamford AFC at Victory Park.

In front of a good crowd of 875, only a 37th minute Dan Lawlor own goal separated the two sides at the break. James Dean doubled the Magpies` advantage from the penalty spot after 64 minutes and the same player added a third with dour minutes remaining.

Third-placed Worksop Town had to be content with one point from their trip to fourth-bottom Witton Albion`s Wincham Park.

Jack Muldoon`s 28th minute effort gave the visiting Tigers the interval lead, but seven minutes after the break Michael Powell equalised and then Josh Hancock gave the Cheshire hosts a 74th minute lead. It looked as though Mark Shaw`s side were heading for defeat – until Leon Mettam popped up with a last-gasp equaliser.

Ashton United`s good form continued as they moved to fourth after a 2-0 win against another play-off contender, Rushall Olympic, at Hurst Cross.

With the wind so strong all around the country on Saturday, reports suggest that many games saw sides enjoying the ascendancy when they had the elements in the favour. The Robins managed two when they had the advantage in the opening half, Aaron Chalmers giving them an 18th minute lead and Martin Pilkington doubling that right on half-time. The Pics had their opportunities in the second period, but Ashton adapted better to the conditions and were deserved victors on the day.

AFC Fylde enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win at Silverlands against Buxton to return to fifth place.

Daniel Lloyd-McGoldrick scored the only goal of the opening half just before the break. But as conditions worsened, Michael Barnes doubled the Coasters` lead on 68 minutes, Lloyd-McGoldrick scored his second and Fylde`s third seven minutes from time, with Andy Russell adding a fourth in injury-time.

FC United of Manchester moved to within four points of the top five after a 2-0 win at the Arriva Stadium against Marine.

In front of a terrific crowd of 940, Tom Davies gave the visitors a 35th minute lead when Marine failed to clear a corner. And Jerome Wright added the second from the spot seven minutes before time after he had been brought down in the box.

Matlock Town became the twenty-ninth team to beat bottom-markers Droylsden, the Gladiators strolling to a 2-0 success at Causeway Lane with goals from Daryll Thomas after 20 minutes and a Danny Holland spot-kick nine minutes into the second period.

Trafford pushed Grantham Town further towards trouble with a 2-1 home win. But the home side had to come back from being a 62nd minute Paul Lister goal down to win, courtesy of Simon Hackney on 71 minutes and then Shelton Payne two minutes from time.

Frickley Athletic won the relegation `six-pointer` at Marston Road against second-bottom Stafford Rangers.

Top scorer Gavin Allott gave Frickley a 37th minute lead that Fernando Moke added to 10 minutes after half-time to push the former Conference Premier side further into trouble.