Tuesday's Premier Division action review

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders North Ferriby United will have been extremely disappointed after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Ilkeston FC on Tuesday night, but their mood was tempered somewhat when they discovered that second-placed Marine had been beaten, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Gary Ricketts gave Kevin Wilson's young side a 22nd minute lead at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium. And they held that lead until two minutes from the end of the game when Ryan Kendal rescued Ferriby and salvaged a draw. Despite the excellent point, Ilkeston remain bottom of the table.

Marine were beaten 2-0 at Keys Park by a Hednesford Town side who now move level on points with their victims and Witton Albion, who also won on Tuesday.

A decent crowd of 403 saw the Pitmen take a 27th minute lead through former Mariner Aaron Rey. And on 68 minutes the home side confirmed victory with a second from Elliott Durrell.

Witton won 4-0 at Dales Lane against a Rushall Olympic side looking to oush on into the play-off places.

However, Rushall could have been dead and buried inside the first 20 minutes as Witton managed to hit the woodwork three times and the Pics' owed a lot to their keeper Chris Gemmell.

Surprisingly though the visitors only led 1-0 at the break, thanks to Shaun Tuck's 35th minute effort. Ten minutes after the restart Tuck doubled his and Witton's advantage and then Anthony Gardner added a third from the penalty spot on 67 minutes. Tuck completed his hat-trick in time added on.

Chorley also missed the chance to put pressure on Ferriby after they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Marston Road to Stafford Rangers.

The only goal of the game came just past the hour-mark from the in-form Danny Quinn.

A hat-trick from Jake Picton and a goal from Gavin Allott saw struggling Frickley Athletic go 4-0 up before visiting Stocksbridge Park Steels scored two late goals.

With Indy Aujla having gone on trial at Forest Green Rovers, Picton continued in midfield and more than justified his selection. He opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a header and then headed a second on 68 minutes after Allott had doubled the Blues' lead.

Picton completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute before fellow strugglers Steels pulled goals back through Adam Todd on 80 minutes and former Blues' player Danny South six minutes later.

Whitby Town moved themselves up to fifteenth place after beating a Kendal Town side who are now three points behind their visitors in the table.

Graeme Armstrong gave the Seasiders a 39th minute lead that Joe Bunney cancelled out two minutes after the restart. Marc Joseph then gave the Cumbrians the lead after 56 minutes, but less than a minute later a Paul Alexander own goal earned Whitby parity.

Nathan Mulligan's twelfth goal of the season to date on the hour-mark gave Whitby the lead and then Armstrong's second of the game 15 minutes from time completed the scoring.

Whitby went above Grantham Town, who were held to a goalless draw by Buxton at The Meres.