Tuesday's Premier Division action review

Skelmersdale United moved to the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division table on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win at Gigg Lane against FC United of Manchester, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 1,429 preferred to watch Non-League football rather than England on TV and were rewarded with an entertaining encounter, although the home fans wouldn't have enjoyed the outcome.

Alan Burton gave Skem a 10th minute lead that Matty Hughes doubled 17 minutes later. FC United, who have been very inconsistent so far this season, were virtually out of the contest three minutes into the second half when recent signing Dean Astbury added Skem's third.

However, they did hit the woodwork twice through Matty Walwyn and he eventually found the net 10 minutes from time for what proved to be a consolation strike. There was further bad news for FC United as Jerome Wright had to be taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.

Chorley remain third after a 1-0 victory at the Weaver Stadium against Nantwich Town.

After taking a 10th minute lead through a Josh Hine penalty, Chorley were reduced to ten-men when Dale Whitham was sent-off in the 26th minute. But despite playing for 64 minutes with reduced numbers, the hosts couldn’t find an equaliser and the Magpies returned home with three important points.

Blyth Spartans moved up to fourth after edging out Ilkeston FC by the odd goal in five at Croft Park.

Spartans took an early seventh minute lead when Arron Wearmouth was fouled in the box by Matt Baker and Craig Hubbard, who scored a hat-trick in a losing cause last Saturday, netted the resultant spot-kick. Laurie Wilson pulled the Robins back on level terms eight minutes later, but three minutes into the second half Dan Maguire restored the home side's lead.

And Maguire bagged his second and Spartans` third eight minutes after that to make it 3-1, although the majority in the 311 crowd were made to sweat for the final 15 minutes when Kane Richards was brought down in the area by Lewis Horner and Arron Webster struck the penalty home to set up a grandstand finish.

Marine are fifth, but could only manage a 1-1 draw at Dales Lane against FA Cup heroes Rushall Olympic.

The Pics took a 15th minute lead, courtesy of an Ahmed Obeng penalty, but the Mariners pulled back on level terms right on half-time when Andy Fowler also converted from the spot.

Buxton are a place further back after a late win at The Meres against Grantham Town.

In a largely forgettable match, there was late drama with Grantham's Massiah McDonald receiving a straight red card for a challenge on Tim Ryan and then came Steven Istead's strike on 88 minutes to keep up the Bucks impressive form on the road this season.

Droylsden's misery continues after they conceded another five goals, taking their goals-against column to forty-eight from just fourteen games, in a 5-1 defeat at Witton Albion's Wincham Park.

Albion have not begun the season well themselves but couldn't have got off to a better start on Tuesday, racing into a 3-0 lead inside 10 minutes! Josh Hancock started the scoring off after three minutes and then Dave Walker and Kyle Wilson added to the tally.

The Albion faithful had to wait until six minutes into the second half for a fourth goal, with Wilson again the scorer. He completed his hat-trick 20 minutes later before Domingos Silveiro netted a consolation for the Bloods 11 minutes from time.

The other Tuesday game at Westfield Lane between Frickley Athletic and King`s Lynn Town finished 2-2.

Gavin Allott put the home side ahead with a 29th minute penalty after he had been brought down himself in the box. Jake Jones scored a great individual goal to equalise for Lynn just before half-time before Joe Fox sent Allott clear to put the Blues ahead again on 54 minutes.

However, Tom Woodhead was adjudged to have brought down a Lynn player in the box on 80 minutes and Andy Hall converted the resultant spot-kick to ensure they headed home with a share of the points.