Tuesday's First Division North action review

Tuesday was a very good night for Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North leaders Skelmersdale United, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

They beat Bamber Bridge 2-1 at the West Lancashire College Stadium while second-placed Ramsbottom United were held to a 1-1 home draw by lowly Ossett Town.

Josh Hine gave Skem a 37th minute lead and only a post and a fine save by Ossett keeper Lee Dovey prevented a bigger advantage at half-time. Skem grabbed an early second immediately after the restart through Hine again before Brig got back into the game, substitute Lennie Reid scoring just past the hour-mark. However, the leaders survived, although they had a late scare when Andy Bell went close in the final minute.

Second placed Rammy broke the deadlock at the Riverside through Lee Gaskell three minutes before half-time. But Ossett equalised six minutes after the break through James Eyles and the hosts were unable to find a winner, leaving them fourteen points behind Skem, who also have a game in hand.

Mossley are back level on points with Ramsbottom after a 4-0 win at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds against third-bottom Goole AFC.

Gary Gee's penalty gave the Lilywhites a 24th minute lead that Sam Hind doubled 15 minutes later, with Kayde Copping sending them in 3-0 up at half-time with a third two minutes before the break. Jason Gorton scored the only goal of the second period with 14 minutes to go.

New Mills improved their play-off hopes with a 4-1 success at Dimple Wells against second-bottom Ossett Albion.

The game was fairly even for the first quarter of an hour and then a speculative long-range effort from Michael Bowler left Jody Barford stranded in the Albion goal. New Mills began to dominate the play and added a second after 37 minutes through Danny Douglas-Pringle.

But Albion didn't give up and just before half-time Alex Metcalfe got them back into the game with a tremendous strike into the top corner. The second half started brightly for Albion but with just over 10 minutes to go the Millers confirmed victory with a second for Douglas-Pringle and one from Mark Innes.