Saturday's Premier Division review

Once again only a handful of matches were possible in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division Saturday, but it turned out to be a good day for leaders Chorley, even though their big game against FC United of Manchester was one of eight postponed, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

That was because second-placed Skelmersdale United went down to a 2-1 defeat at the New Manor Ground to mid-table Ilkeston FC.

James Reid put the Robins in front in the 28th minute after good work by Matt Richards. Skem drew level seconds before the break through Dean Astbury. However, Notts County loanee Tyrell Waite converted a Gary Ricketts cross in stoppage time at the end of the game to win it for Kevin Wilson's side.

To make the day even sweeter for Chorley, third-placed AFC Fylde were held to a 1-1 draw at Hurst Cross by fifth-placed Ashton United.

On a very muddy pitch and with a howling gale, both sides did extremely well to produce an entertaining game for the small crowd. It was the home side who scored first when a corner was turned into his own net by Richie Allen after 16 minutes, but he made amends just 14 minutes later by scoring a fine solo effort to equalise, which is how the scoreline ended.

Blyth Spartans could have overtaken Ashton had they won at struggling Stafford Rangers, but they also had to be content with just one point from a 2-2 draw.

James McCarthy gave second-bottom Stafford Rangers an early seventh minute lead that Rob Dale cancelled out on 23 minutes. Eleven minutes later Spartans took the lead through Danny Parker. But they were unable to add to that and they paid for it when Dan Cope popped up with an equaliser for Rangers with just six minutes remaining.

However, arguably the result of the day has to be rock-bottom Droylsden's 2-2 draw at Barwell – only the Bloods` third point of the season to date!

Droylsden`s last point came way back on September 10th in a goalless draw against Blyth Spartans. And this so nearly became their first win since last April when they were members of the Conference North.

The Bloods raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Danny Meadowcroft a minute before half-time and then Sam Madeley seven minutes after the restart. Anthony Griffith Jnr reduced the deficit seven minutes from time before the equaliser from defender Scott Lower came so late into injury-time that the social media was hot with news that Droylsden had won their first game of the season!