Tuesday's Premier action review

Rushall Olympic followed up their opening day victory at Whitby Town with an assured 2-1 success against Robbie Dale's newcomers Ilkeston FC at Dales Lane on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney in his Tuesday night round-up.

Dave Walker again proved his immense worth to the Pics as he netted a brace, thanks to a goal in each half to make it three in two games for the former Kidsgrove Athletic man. With time almost up the visitors were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and pulled back a consolation goal as substitute James Reid promptly drilled in a low drive past the defensive wall.

Ashton United, FC United of Manchester, Hednesford Town and newly-promoted Witton Albion also made it two wins from their opening two matches. Ashton lead the early table on goal difference after winning 2-1 at promoted AFC Fylde. And they had to come back from being an early 2nd minute goal down to win, thanks to Mark Peers` penalty conversion after 34 minutes and then Ben Deegan with less than 3 minutes remaining.

FC United followed up last Saturday`s 4-2 win at newly-promoted Grantham Town with a 3-2 home win over Whitby Town. Traffic problems delayed the kick-off for 15 minutes, but the 1,562 crowd didn`t have long to wait for the opening goal from FC United`s reliable Mike Norton after just 6 minutes. But Nathan Mulligan equalised just before half-time for the Seasiders, only for Matt Wolfenden to restore the home side`s lead 9 minutes after the restart. Jake Cottrell increased FC United`s lead in the 63rd minute, with Mulligan`s second from the penalty 6 minute from time ensuring a nervy finale.

Hednesford won 2-0 at Coronation Park against Eastwood Town, who are yet to register a point after suffering relegation from the Blue Square Bet North. Jamey Osborne put the Pitmen in front just after the break and Elliott Durrell added a second on 56 minutes.

Witton followed up their opening win at home against Blyth Spartans with a 2-1 success at Chorley, taking a 15th minute lead through Matthew Wood. Anthony Gardner, who scored the winner from the spot last Saturday, added the second in the 58th minute and although Tom Ince replied after 67 minutes, the Magpies were unable to find a leveller.

Two late goals saw Frickley Athletic suffer a second successive defeat, this time 2-1 against a Matlock Town side who had been hammered at home by Nantwich Town last weekend. Frickley were 1-0 up, thanks to Jimmy Ghaichem's 22nd minute strike. And it wasn`t until 11 minutes from time that the Gladiators equalised, courtesy of Lewis McMahon`s spot-kick. And then with 7 minutes to go Joe Leesley bagged the visitors` winner.

Relegated Blyth recovered from their opening day defeat to beat Stocksbridge Park Steels 5-0 at Croft Park – the second successive game Steels had conceded five after last Friday`s nine-goal thriller against Chorley. It was goalless at the break. However, Jordan Mellish broke the deadlock shortly after half-time and then Robbie Dale quickly added the second. And then in the final 9 minutes Dale again and a Craig Farrell brace completed the Spartans nap hand.

Grantham also earned a first win in the Premier Division in a match at Stafford Rangers that was held up for almost half-an-hour due to an injury to the referee. But in the end, Phil Watt`s goal 10 minutes from time secured the Gingerbreads victory.

The game at the Weaver Stadium between Nantwich and Kendal Town ended all-square, with Lewis Short looking like he had won the game for the Dabbers when his goal on the hour-mark was finally cancelled out 4 minutes from time by Josh Kenworthy.