Tuesday's Premier Division action review

In front of a crowd of 1,296 at Spennymoor Town`s Brewery Field – the game was switched at late notice after Heritage Park was waterlogged – the Quakers went top with a game in hand thanks to a 3-0 win over Skelmersdale United.

Kevin Burgess settled home nerves with a 28th minute opener and then four minutes before half-time, Nathan Cartman doubled the Quakers` lead. Stephen Thompson made sure of the points and top spot with a third just past the hour-mark.

Victory lifted Darlington two points above Blyth Spartans, who have played a game more. Meanwhile, at Llanelian Road, Whitby led after 13 minutes through a Richard Pell header from a corner.

Carl Lamb equalised for Bay after 34 minutes but after Michael Roberts put the Seasiders back in front on 57 minutes, they wrapped up victory with two further goals in the last nine minutes from Anthony Hulme and Roberts again.

Defeat sent Bay down and lifted Whitby three points clear of the bottom four with a game in hand.

Ashton United boosted their top five hopes with a 2-0 win at Dales Lane against mid-table Rushall Olympic.

James Dean gave the visitors the boost of an early fifth minute lead. Martin Pilkington doubled Ashton`s lead four minutes after the break and they held firm for three points.

The win took them into fourth place, level on points with Stourbridge who had to settle for a point after Matlock Town grabbed an equaliser two minutes into added time at Causeway Lane.

Karl Hawley's 65th minute goal looked as though it had earned the win for the Glassboys but Jack Siddall clipped the ball past Matt Gould two minutes into stoppage time to ensure that honours ended even.

Workington AFC`s play-off hopes took a blow when they lost 2-0 at the Weaver Stadium to Nantwich Town.

Liam Shotton four minutes before half-time and Josh Hancock 11 minutes after it scored the goals that sealed the Reds` fate and left them four points behind Stourbridge in fifth.

Marine AFC, although not mathematically safe, earned a point from a 1-1 home draw with in-form Frickley Athletic and they are seven points above fourth-bottom Hyde United.

Charlie Barnett gave the Mariners a great start with a goal inside the opening five minutes. Jacob Hazel equalised after 17 minutes and neither side were able to find a subsequent winner.

Mid-table sides Buxton and Ilkeston FC met at Silverlands and the home side`s Ashley Worsfold enjoyed himself with a hat-trick in the Bucks 3-1 success.

He opened his account after just two minutes and added a second 16 minutes later. Dexter Atkinson reduced the arrears just before the break before Worfold completed his triple just shy of the hour-mark.

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