Tuesday's Premier Division action review

The big game of Tuesday night in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division between leaders Chorley and play-off chasers FC United of Manchester enticed a crowd of 2,171 to Victory Park – the league`s biggest of the season to date, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

However, quite a few of them may have missed the only goal of the game! Chorley have hit the buffers a bit, and Tom Greaves` 93rd minute winner for FC United was the Magpies fourth game without a win.

Elsewhere, second-placed Skelmersdale United reduced the deficit between them and Chorley to only one point after they beat Trafford 3-1 at the West Lancs Community College Stadium.

Dean Astbury gave Skem an early fifth minute lead but Shelton Payne grabbed a 64th minute equaliser from the penalty spot. Eleven minutes later and Astbury`s second restored the home side`s lead before Chris Simm made sure with a third with three minutes remaining.

Matlock Town rekindled their play-off hopes with a 4-1 Causeway Lane victory over a Grantham Town side still looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.

Danny Holland put the Gladiators ahead from the spot just past the half-hour mark and he then added a second six minutes before the break. Shaun Tuton virtually made it game over with the third on 64 minutes, and although Paul Grimes reduced the arrears from the spot six minutes later, a second from Tuton on 73 minutes made it 4-1 and points won.

Grantham`s neighbours Stamford AFC are only a point in front of them after they were beaten 3-1 at the Weaver Stadium by mid-table Nantwich Town.

Steve Foster gave the Dabbers a great start with a goal inside the opening minute. Josh Eastwood doubled their advantage in the 39th minute, with Jordan Smith pulling the Daniels back into the game midway through the second period. But a last-gasp Aaron Burns third sealed victory for Danny Johnson`s side.

Tuesday`s other game saw Barwell earn a vital three points at second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels, who are now twenty points adrift of the safety-mark.

Barwell had to come back from being an early third minute Matt Hamshaw goal down to win, courtesy of ex-Tamworth midfielder Connor Gudger on the half-hour mark and then Nigel Julien right at the end of normal time.

Victory pushed Barwell six points clear of fourth-bottom Witton Albion, who do have three games in hand though.