The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Ashton United, Marine and Rushall Olympic held onto their 100 per cent records after Bank Holiday Monday`s games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Danny Johnson`s Ashton side were fully tested by a Nantwich Town side who arrived at Hurst Cross having also started the season unbeaten.

Tom Baker gave the home side a 26th minute lead that Sean Cooke cancelled out 12 minutes into the second half. A point apiece looked on the cards until Baker popped up with his second of the game to win it for United with less than three minutes remaining.

Marine hosted Chorley and were in front after less than 10 minutes with Marcus Carver showing what a good signing he has already proved by netting his fifth goal of the season already. And right on half-time, Nick Rogan doubled the Mariners lead – a lead they held on to.

Rushall inflicted a third defeat in four games on Matlock Town when winning 3-0 at Causeway Lane. Steve Abbott put Olympic in front after 29 minutes, but it wasn`t until 20 minutes from time that Neil Kitching`s side doubled their lead through Lei Brown. However, the same player added a third eight minutes later to ensure the points went to the visitors.

Relegated former Conference North side Eastwood Town, Whitby Town and Frickley Athletic are all still to gain a point in 2012-13. The Badgers, who are finding it very tough going after relegation from the Blue Square Bet North, went down to a 2-1 defeat to neighbours Ilkeston FC, who were promoted from Evo-Stik NPL First Division South at the end of last season.

Will McCall gave the Robins a 23rd minute lead that Tyeisse Nightingale cancelled out on the hour-mark. But the majority in the 795 crowd went home happy after veteran striker Gary Ricketts grabbed what proved to be the winner with 17 minutes to go.

Whitby were beaten 1-3 at home by North East rivals Blyth Spartans, who came down with Eastwood. In Spartans case this was their second win of the season to date. Newcastle United loanee Phil Airey gave the visitors an early sixth minute lead but Nathan Mulligan`s penalty restored parity in the 18th minute.

A point apiece looked on the cards until the Seasiders conceded a penalty in the very last minute of normal time that Joe Kendrick duly converted. And just to rub salt into Whitby`s wounds, Robbie Dale scored a third in injury-time.

Frickley were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at North Ferriby United, for whom this was a first victory. Gregg Anderson put the home side in front after 22 minutes and a minute before half-time Liam King doubled that lead. Prolific marksman Gary Bradshaw got in on the act to make it 3-0 after 66 minutes and Danny Clarke added a fourth in stoppage time.

Still yet to taste defeat in 2012-13 are FC United of Manchester, Hednesford Town and Witton Albion.

Two of them, Witton and FC United, met at Wincham Park and shared the spoils in front of a crowd of 1,352. They saw Nicky Platt put the visitors ahead with a header after 26 minutes but Brian Pritchard`s side earned a well-deserved point with a Ben Harrison equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.

The Pitmen, meanwhile, also dropped their first points of the season after being held to a 2-2 derby draw at Keys Park by a Stafford Rangers side who have now drawn three of their four games. In front of a crowd of 920, Elliott Durrell broke the deadlock by giving the home side the lead five minutes after half-time from the penalty spot.

Ex-Pitman Danny Quinn equalised in the 62nd minute and looked like he`d won it for Rangers when he scored a second with only three minutes remaining. But Nathan Woolfe popped up with Hednesford`s leveller in injury-time.

Elsewhere on Bank Holiday Monday, newly-promoted Grantham Town gained a second Premier win at The Meres against Worksop Town, taking a 51st minute lead through Sam Puricoe and adding to that with efforts from Ben Saunders on 62 minutes and Phil Watt five minutes later.

Buxton ensured Stocksbridge Park Steels are still looking for their first win after inflicting a 2-0 Bracken Moor defeat on Gary Marrow`s side. Kallum Keane put the Bucks in front after 14 minutes and then right at the death Steve Istead made sure with a second.

The game between Kendal Town and new boys AFC Fylde ended all-square at 2-2. Joe Booth gave the visitors the lead with a 10th minute penalty that Marc Joseph cancelled out after 23 minutes. Just five minutes later and the Cumbrians were in front through Alex Taylor, but Fylde were back on level terms six minutes after half-time, courtesy of Mattie Hughes.