Tuesday's Premier Division action review

Chorley returned to top spot in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division on Tuesday night after a hard-fought 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Witton Albion at Victory Park, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Dale Whitham scored the all-important goal with 12 minutes to go that lifted the Magpies back above FC United of Manchester whose game at home against Grantham Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Rushall Olympic's hopes of reaching the play-offs are almost over after they were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by AFC Fylde, who arrived at Dales Lane on the back of an eighteen-game unbeaten run and moved into third place as a consequence of the result.

The visitors can count themselves fortunate to have taken a point as the Pics turned in a superb performance which with any luck would have resulted in them taking all three points.

Ritchie Allen gave the Coasters an 18th minute lead that Ahmed Obeng cancelled out 18 minutes later. Harry Winter eventually restored the visitors lead after 71 minutes, but Obeng`s second at least earned the Pics a point on the night.

Skelmersdale United`s chances of making the play-offs took another massive blow when they were hammered 5-0 in Leicestershire by a Barwell side who are now virtually safe.

The Canaries hit Skem with two goals in the opening seven minutes, firstly through Nigel Julien after five minutes and two minutes later through a Tom Hardwick own goal. Connor Gudger added a third right on half-time and then scored his second and Barwell`s fourth 10 minutes into the second period.

Ben Love made it a nap hand with a fifth just past the hour-mark to leave Skem three points behind fifth-placed Ashton United – both having played 41 games.

It could have been even worse for Tommy Lawson`s side had Blyth Spartans managed to win at Causeway Lane against Matlock Town instead of being held to a 1-1 draw.

James Ashmore broke the deadlock to give the Gladiators a 65th minute lead that Ashley Davis cancelled out with six minutes to go. A win would have taken Spartans to within a point of Skem with a game in hand.