Tuesday's First Division North action review

Tuesday's games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North saw leaders Skelmersdale United move twelve points clear of second-placed Ramsbottom United following a 4-1 success at Dimple Wells against struggling Ossett Albion, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

However, it was a scoreline that perhaps flattered the league leaders as Albion produced a much-improved performance. For the first 15 minutes Albion matched the visitors for workrate and ideas, but Skem got the break they needed when, following a scramble, the ball was twice cleared off the Albion goal-line, but it went straight to Kenny Strickland who fired home from 20 yards through the crowded area.

Jody Barford in the Albion goal made several fine saves to keep the home side in the match but he was eventually beaten again nine minutes after half-time when Skelmersdale were awarded a penalty which Mark Jackson converted to settle any nerves.

Skem then began to play more freely and the Albion defence struggled to cope with the fast running visiting forwards and they conceded a third goal to Josh Hine in the 73rd minute. To their credit Albion continued to compete and they pulled a goal back through Josh Garbutt four minutes later which injected some hope. However, eight minutes from time the home side were caught out again by a long ball through the middle which Hine converted to make the final score 4-1.

Cammell Laird maintained their play-off hopes after edging out Radcliffe Borough by the odd goal in five at home. Michael Grogan gave Laird an early fourth minute lead that John Couch doubled a minute before the break. Craig Cairns made it surely game over with a third for the hosts in the 64th minute, but Boro fought back. Kevin Sanasy reduced the arrears 10 minutes later and then Shaun Connor cut the deficit to just one in the final minute, but Laird held on to move to within a point of fifth-placed Curzon Ashton.

Cammell Laird leap-frogged New Mills into seventh after the Millers were beaten 4-1 by a Warrington Town side still harbouring top five hopes themselves. The hosts took a 21st minute lead through Ashley Ruane, who skipped past a defender and fired into the bottom corner of the net.

Eight minutes later, Town doubled their advantage through Phil Mooney. Former Colwyn Bay player boss Jon Newby came off the bench to make it 3-0 with 15 minutes to go and three minutes later Ciaran Kilheeney got his reward by rounding the keeper and then a defender to fire home number four.

Five minutes from time Chris Luby latched onto a poor back pass and Warrington keeper Andy Robertson hauled him down. The Town stopper was sent-off and recent signing Nar Kerr has took up the gloves, but he couldn't save the resulting spot-kick as Dave Fitzpatrick scored a consolation for the Millers.

Bamber Bridge made it six wins from the last six games with a 4-2 win at Moor Lane against Salford City. Chris Marlow gave Brig a 15th minute lead that Jamie Rother cancelled out two minutes later, only for Greg Johnstone to immediately restore the visitors' lead from the spot. Johnstone made it 3-1 with his second of the game 11 minutes into the second half and then completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes – with Rob Kinsella pulling a second back for the Ammies a minute later.

In the other games played, Wakefield and Harrogate Railway Athletic shared the spoils in a hard-fought goalless derby draw.