The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

North Ferriby United moved two points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division on Saturday after beating Witton Albion and as a consequence of Marine's home defeat by Worksop Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Chris Bolder gave the Villagers the boost of a 12th minute lead against Witton, who fell further behind 13 minutes later to a Liam King effort. That proved to be the end of the scoring but was enough to see Ferriby go top again after the Mariners' home defeat.

A boosted Non-League Day crowd of 607 saw big forward Tom Denton prove to be the visiting Tigers' hero.

Nick Rogan gave Marine a 26th minute lead they held until right on half-time when Denton equalised. The ex-Huddersfield man then put Worksop in front almost immediately after the restart and completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute. Liam Dawson replied less than two minutes later, but the overnight leaders were unable to find a leveller.

Ashton United are back in third spot after a good 2-1 win at Keys Park against Hednesford United, who are now ninth.

Aaron Burns put Danny Johnson`s visitors in front after 27 minutes and then doubled their lead five minutes before half-time. The Pitmen 'won' the second period with a goal in the 53rd minute from John Disney, but Ashton held on for the points.

Chorley and Rushall Olympic are fourth and fifth respectively after they shared a goalless draw in another Evo-Stik NPL Non-League Day fixture at Dales Lane.

However, the focus was more on the welfare of Rushall's Ahmed Obeng, who was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch. The 21-year-old was suspected of suffering a broken rib and a punctured lung but had initially got up after the tackle before collapsing pitchside - the incident delaying the match by 20 minutes.

Nantwich Town are sixth after winning 2-1 at basement outfit Whitby Town.

It was midweek goalscoring hero Nathan Mulligan who put the Seasiders in front from the penalty spot in the 31st minute at the Turnbull Ground. But right on half-time Mat Bailey equalised and the Dabbers won it 11 minutes from time through Sean Cooke.

Second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels were leap-frogged in the table by Ilkeston FC after Dereece Gardner's 69th minute goal proved to be enough for the young Robins side.

Goals from Luke Hinsley and Gavin Allott saw another struggler, Frickley Athletic, come from a goal down to beat Stafford Rangers 2-1 at the GMB Stadium. The visitors had taken a 23rd minute lead through Danny Quinn but Hinsley equalised on 42 minutes and Allott scored a well-taken second goal on 54 minutes to earn a vital win for the Blues.

Matlock Town are sinking towards the bottom four after going down to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Eastwood Town, who moved above the Gladiators into seventeenth spot as a result. The only goal of the game at Causeway Lane came four minutes before the half-time break from Tyeisse Nightingale.

Not far away, Buxton beat Blyth Spartans 2-0 at Silverlands, Blyth's caretaker manager Paddy Atkinson enjoying no luck during his first game in charge since taking over from Tommy Cassidy.

The opening Bucks goal came in the 20th minute in freak circumstances when goalkeeper Ian Deakin scored direct from a free-kick ten yards inside his own half, his punt forward bouncing over his opposite number! Twelve minutes later a more conventional Mark Reed header put the home side two-up and they held that until the final whistle.

Kevin Leadbetter scored the only goal in the 15th minute to earn Kendal Town victory at home against Grantham Town, while the biggest crowd of the day in the division – 1,418 – saw AFC Fylde beat FC United of Manchester 4-2 at Kellamergh Park.

Ritchie Allen bagged a brace in the 15th and 32nd minute to put the home side in command. Mike Norton reduced the arrears five minutes later, only for Adam Farrell on the hour-mark and Michael Barnes on 77 minutes to virtually ensure victory for Fylde, despite Greg Daniels' 84th minute response.