Wednesday's Premier Division action review

AFC Fylde had the opportunity to re-take leadership of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division on
Wednesday night when they travelled to Shawe View to take on lowly Trafford, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Skelmersdale United had moved above the Coasters 24 hours earlier after a fine win at FC United of Manchester, but Trafford, who started the evening fifth-bottom, hadn't read the script and won 2-0.

It was goalless until the 56th minute when defender Andy Smart hit in a stunner from 25 yards to break the deadlock in the home side's favour. And just three minutes later, Rory Fallon was brought down in the box and Shelton Payne duly converted the resultant penalty.

Matlock Town moved into third place after a 2-1 win over Barwell at Causeway Lane.

Michael Harcourt gave the Gladiators a 15th minute lead that Luke Barlone cancelled out from the spot just three minutes later. It was Daryll Thomas who then won it for Mark Atkins' side in the 53rd minute.

Stamford AFC edged out third-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels at Kettering Road but remain in the bottom four.

Alvin Jarvis gave the Daniels a 20th minute lead that Nathan Joynes cancelled out from the spot 16 minutes later. Joynes scored his and Steels' second right on the stroke of half-time to take the visitors in ahead, but that lead lasted barely eight minutes as Shawn Richards equalised.

On-loan David Mayo then put the home side in front two minutes later, only for Stephen Hoyle to drag Steels back on terms again after 69 minutes. The winner came nine minutes from time, Northampton Town's Mayo grabbing his second of the game.

Stafford Rangers remain second bottom after a 5-0 drubbing at Sandy Lane by Worksop Town.

Big striker Tom Denton opened the Tigers account after 32 minutes and 10 minutes later Conor Higginson doubled their advantage. It wasn’t until the hour-mark that Worksop added to their tally through Jack Muldoon but Leon Mettam 10 minutes later, and Phil Roe in the final minute of normal time, completed a nap hand for the home side.

Wednesday's other game saw Whitby Town move above hosts Ashton United into eleventh after edging a seven-goal thriller at Hurst Cross.

Chris Lynch gave Ashton a 10th minute lead that Craig Farrell cancelled out seven minutes later with a ferocious 35-yard free-kick. That was it until shortly before the hour-mark when three goals arrived in four minutes.

Lee Mason put the Seasiders in front for the first time, Kayde Coppin equalised and then Graeme Armstrong made it 3-2 to the visitors. Farrell's second gave Whitby a two-goal cushion with 13 minutes to go but Coppin's second five minutes later ensured a frantic finale.