Tuesday's Premier Division action review

Skelmersdale United moved five points clear at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division table on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

However, they had to make do with just one point from their trek across to Croft Park to play struggling Blyth Spartans. On loan Jonathyn Quinn’s second goal for the club after 34 minutes wasn’t enough to give Spartans all three points against the league leaders after a deflected Rob McIntosh header 12 minutes from time ensured that the visitors escaped from the North East with a point.

Buxton could have moved into second place with a win at mid-table Frickley Athletic, but they too had to be content with a single point to stay third – a point behind Curzon Ashton.

The Bucks had a great start at Westfield Lane when Liam Hardy put them in front after less than two minutes. But top scorer Gavin Allott responded with the Blues` equaliser a couple of minutes into the second half.

Ramsbottom United showed once more that they are not going to disappear from the top five easily with a 4-0 win over Whitby Town at the Riverside. Despite this being their first season at Premier Division level, they consolidated fourth spot by beating a side who hammered Rushall Olympic 5-1 on Saturday.

Jordan Hulme gave United an eighth minute lead but it wasn`t until the final 15 minutes that Rammy took total control after the Seasiders – making their first ever visit to Ramsbottom - had lost midfielder Dave McTiernan to a red card midway through the first half. A Lee Bullock own goal eventually doubled Rammy's lead on 74 minutes and then Phil Dean two minutes later and Jon Robinson from the penalty spot in stoppage time completed the scoring.

King's Lynn Town complete the top five and they put a four-point cushion between them and sixth-placed Ilkeston FC after beating the Robins 3-0 at The Walks.

Lynn`s biggest league win of the season came courtesy of a hat-trick from George Thomson, with two of the goals coming from the penalty spot in the first half. The first came after 12 minutes when Luke Shaw brought down Jake Jones in the box and the second on 28 minutes after Michael Frew was fouled in the area. And Thomson completed his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining.

Grantham Town moved to within a point of Ilkeston in seventh after a comprehensive 4-0 win over Nantwich Town at The Meres.

Laurie Wilson put the Gingerbreads in front after 36 minutes. And then Alex Simmons eventually doubled their lead just past the hour-mark. Simmons added his second and Grantham`s third in the 71st minute, with Jordan Hempenstall making it 4-0 in injury-time.

FC United of Manchester could have moved above both Grantham and Ilkeston with a win at Matlock Town, but had to settle for one point from a goalless draw at Causeway Lane.

Belper Town`s woes at the foot of the table continue after a 4-0 drubbing at their own Christchurch Meadow patch by mid-table Stourbridge.

Kayelden Brown gave the Glassboys a 29th minute lead, but both sides could and should have scored before that with the woodwork rattled at either end and visiting `keeper Dean Coleman producing two fine saves. But right on half-time the visitors doubled their advantage through Jordan Fitzpatrick. Kristian Ramsey-Dickson added a third on 65 minutes and a fourth arrived 10 minutes later, courtesy of Drew Canavan.

Halesowen Town were comfortable 3-0 winners at The Grove against Rushall Olympic.

Ben Haseley gave the Yeltz a 15th minute lead that was eventually added to by Joe Hull nine minutes into the second period. Elliott Turner completed victory with a third with a couple of minutes remaining.

Barwell leap-frogged Stamford AFC into ninth after winning 1-0 at home against the Daniels, Nigel Julian scoring the only goal of the game for the Canaries on the hour-mark.

Elsewhere, Kayde Coppin popped up to score Ashton United`s last-gasp winner in a 2-1 success at Trafford.

Andy Smart had given the home side a 28th minute lead that Richard Bennett cancelled out three minutes into the second half. A point apiece looked on the cards until Coppin grabbed Ashton`s winner in stoppage time.