Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

Maidstone United went an awful long way towards clinching the Ryman League's Premier Division championship on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Stones` 3-0 win at the Gallagher Stadium against Billericay Town and second-placed Margate`s 3-3 draw at Kingsmeadow against Kingstonian saw the gap at the top increase to seven points.

Maidstone needed a win as they had lost two and drawn two of their last four matches.

A crowd of 2,035 saw a goalless opening 45 minutes and then Frannie Collin broke the deadlock to give the Stones a 56th minute lead. But they weren`t able to increase that lead until the final five minutes when sub Matt Bodkin and then Jay May added to their tally.

Kingstonian, still in play-off contention, needed to bounce back from their midweek defeat by Bognor Regis Town and had a great start when Sam Page put them in front after just three minutes in front of a crowd of 437. But Brett Johnson equalised four minutes later, only for Pelayo Pico Gomez to restore K`s lead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute.

Alan Inns made it 3-1 to the home side 11 minutes later but the turning point came right on half-time when K`s Steve Laidler was sent-off for a second bookable offence and Charlie Wassmer reduced the arrears with a volley in first half injury-time. Ryan Moss eventually equalised for Gate with 19 minutes to go.

The game between Maidstone and Margate a month today could now prove crucial as Gate possess two games in hand.

Dulwich Hamlet`s title chances have virtually disappeared after they were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing at Nyewood Lane against in-form Bognor.

The Rocks scored four times in the opening half through Doug Tuck after three minutes, Alex Parsons four minutes later, Craig Robson on the half-hour mark and a Jason Prior penalty nine minutes later.

Hendon are seven points behind third-placed Dulwich but have five games in hand and they won 2-0 at Earlsmead against fifth-bottom Witham Town, courtesy of goals from Kezie Ibe in the 22nd and 83rd minutes.

The Metropolitan Police hold fifth spot but were beaten 1-0 at Imber Court by Grays Athletic who were gifted a 28th minute own goal by keeper Stuart Searle.

Only seven points now separate the Met in fifth with Enfield Town in twelfth. Leiston and Wingate & Finchley are level on forty-seven points – one behind the Met – and both won on Saturday.

Leiston secured a 2-0 verdict at Enfield, thanks to John Sands after 31 minutes and sub Darren Mills 13 minutes from time.

And a 25-yard strike from Rob Laney just after half-time saw Wingate & Finchley on their way to a 2-1 victory at The Sports Park against Peacehaven & Telscombe. Tommy Tejan added a second on 62 minutes with Jamie Brotherton replying in stoppage time for Haven.

East Thurrock United`s top five hopes took a blow after a 2-1 defeat at Fetcham Grove against Leatherhead.

Mark Nwokeji gave the Tanners the lead right on half-time and Kiernan Hughes-Mason added a second on 69 minutes, with Sam Higgins netting a consolation a minute from the end.

VCD Athletic got their first win of 2015 as Hampton & Richmond Borough threw away the lead to leave with nothing to show.

Midfielder Tom Jelley gave the Beavers the lead after 29 minutes but in the second half the Kent club showed fighting spirit, Lea Dawson levelling things up with nearly an hour gone and then popping up to snatch all three points in time added on.

Bottom-markers Bury Town are eleven points from safety now after losing 4-1 at Ram Meadow against fellow strugglers AFC Hornchurch, who are now just a point adrift of fifth-bottom Witham.

Kieran Bishop after 10 minutes and George Purcell nibe minutes later gave the Urchins a cushion that Craig Nurse reduced right on half-time. Nnamdi Nwachuku on 63 minutes and Purcell again four minutes later completed a comfortable win for the visitors.

Harrow Borough are now second-bottom after VCD's win and their 1-1 draw at Longmead against Tonbridge Angels, whose Tommy Whitnell gave them a 34th minute lead that Michael Peacock cancelled out on the hour-mark.

Managerless Lewes are five points in front of Witham after a 1-1 draw at Canvey Island.

Elliot Romain had an interesting few minutes either side of the break – giving the Rooks the lead on 44 minutes and then being sent-off four minutes after the interval for a second bookable offence before John Easterford grabbed the Rooks equaliser in the last minute.