Saturday's Premier Division review

Chorley's lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division was reduced to three points after they were held to a draw at lowly Grantham Town, while second-placed Skelmersdale United earned a late win against play-off chasers Whitby Town, writes Steve Whitney.

On an unusual day of a full fixture list, Grantham broke the deadlock at The Meres in the 63rd minutes through Gregg Smith. And that looked as though it was going to be enough to beat the high-flying Magpies until Adam Mather popped up with the equaliser three minutes from time.

At the West Lancs College Stadium, Whitby`s long cross country trip was rewarded with the opening goal in the 19th minute. But Skem took only three minutes to pull back on level terms with Adam Morning on target.

However, the Seasiders, who started the game protecting an eleven-match unbeaten run extending back to November, re-took the lead just past the hour-mark through Craig Farrell.

A late burst of three goals in the final four minutes then turned the game in Skem's favour though, with Tom Ince starting things off on 86 minutes and Dean Astbury bagging a brace in the final five minutes to win it for Tommy Lawson's side.

AFC Fylde are third, three points behind Skem, after a hard-fought win against relegation-threatened Barwell at Kellamergh Park. The only goal of the game came courtesy of Matthew Blinkhorn three minutes into the second half.

Worksop Town and FC United of Manchester complete the play-off picture and both won on Saturday.

The Tigers entertained fellow contenders Ashton United at Sandy Lane and edged a 3-2 verdict. Dale Johnson put the visitors in front in the 14th minute, only for Leon Mettam to level 13 minutes on.

Ten minutes into the second period Tom Denton gave the home side the lead, but when Jason Gorton levelled 13 minutes from time, a point apiece looked on the cards, until Jamie Jackson popped up with the home side`s winner in the 88th minute.

In front of a crowd of 1,793, FC United strolled to a 4-1 win against Ilkeston FC at Gigg Lane.

In their first Saturday home game of the year, the home side had to come back from being a 34th minute Tyrell Waite goal down to win. But they were level within two minutes through Tom Greaves and three minutes after half-time Jerome Wright gave the Reds the lead.

Greaves scored his second three minutes later and Wright`s penalty 11 minutes from the end completed a comfortable win for Karl Marginson's men.

FC United moved above both Ashton and Blyth Spartans into fifth place after the latter went down to a 1-0 home defeat to struggling Buxton.

A poor performance from the home side saw them suffer a first home league defeat since October 26th as a single goal from substitute Alastair Taylor on the hour-mark was enough for Buxton to complete the `double` over them.

Another play-off contender, King's Lynn Town, dropped two home points as they were held to a 2-2 draw at The Walks by Trafford.

Andy Hall headed Lynn in front in the eighth minute and just two minutes later Hall crossed for Jake Jones to make it 2-0. But the home side failed to take advantage of their fine start and contrived to make for a nervy encounter. An unmarked Shelton Payne pounced to bring Trafford back into it four minutes after half-time.

Lynn suffered a blow when Jones was sent-off for hauling Michael Oates as he broke clear. But Oates had the last laugh as he struck in the 91st minute to earn his team a point and put a dent in Lynn’s hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Due to defeats for Ashton, Blyth and Whitby and King`s Lynn's draw, Rushall Olympic's 6-1 hammering of Matlock Town at Dales Lane has put the Pics back into the frame.

The Gladiators came into the game still harbouring top five hopes themselves, and when they went ahead through Shaun Tuton after 36 minutes, their hopes were boosted. But just three minutes after the break Rushall were back on level terms through James Dance.

Karl Ashton then gave the Pics the lead after 67 minutes and goals came at regular intervals after that, with an Oscar Radford own goal on 72 minutes and then Stanley Mugisha bagging a brace either side of a second for Dance.

Droylsden's misery is almost over as their 4-0 defeat at the Butcher`s Arms against Marine left them almost needing `snookers` to avoid the drop.

The Mariners threatened a cricket score as they raced into a 3-0 lead inside nine minutes with goals from Dale Wright, a Joe Fowler penalty and Will Jones. Jones scored his second and Marine`s fourth with only 14 minutes gone, but they took their foot off the gas somewhat and the Bloods recovered some pride by keeping a 'clean sheet' for the remaining 76 minutes.

Stafford Rangers` hopes of avoiding the drop took a massive boost on Saturday with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Bracken Moor against fellow strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels, who are now second-bottom.

Dan Cope broke the deadlock by giving Rangers the lead after 74 minutes of a nervy encounter. Graham Heathcote`s side could breathe a little easier a minute later when Levi Reid doubled their lead and then new signing Saul Henderson added a third in stoppage time.

Jake Picton scored two second half penalties to earn another of the strugglers, Frickley Athletic, three crucial points against Nantwich Town at Westfield Lane.

On both occasions Jimmy Ghaichem was the player fouled with Picton putting both the resulting penalty kicks away in the 6st and 74th minutes.

Stamford AFC also did their hopes of surviving a massive boost with a `six-pointer` win against fellow strugglers Witton Albion at Kettering Road.

Lewis Carr gave the Daniels the boost of an early second minute lead that Charlie Binns added to on 33 minutes. Jonathan Breeze reduced the arrears with 16 minutes to go, only for Binns to notch his second 10 minutes later to confirm victory.