Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

Saturday turned into a very good day for second-placed Hendon in the Ryman League's Premier Division, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Hendon were the only one of the top four to win, with the other three, including leaders Maidstone United, were held to draws.

The Greens' 2-0 win at New Lodge against mid-table Billericay Town moved them seven points behind the Stones with a game in hand – and the pair meet on April 4th. With Hendon also due to play Margate and Dulwich Hamlet, they have a great chance to maintain their challenge.

Kezie Ibe gave them a 15th minute lead and Andre Da Costa ensured there was to be no comeback by Billericay with a second eight minutes into the second period.

Maidstone had to be content with a point from a 1-1 draw at Fetcham Grove against another mid-table side, Leatherhead.

Vasieleious Karagiannis gave the Tanners an 18th minute lead that Steve Watt cancelled out right on the stroke of half-time. But the crowd of 643 failed to see a winner.

Margate have three games in hand on Maidstone and two on Hendon but their goalless draw at Hartsdown Park against play-off contenders Wingate & Finchley leaves the gap at the top to thirteen points – surely too big a task now.

The point keeps Wingate firmly in the hunt for a top five finish which is heading towards being a terrific finale as only four points separate eleventh-placed Kingstonian from fifth-placed Enfield Town, who won 2-0 at Peacehaven & Telscombe on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Claudio Vileu and a Bobby Devyne penalty in the final 10 minutes.

Fourth-placed Dulwich have a healthy seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Leiston and also drew on Saturday.

They were held to a 3-3 thriller at Champion Hill by another of the contenders, East Thurrock United.

Mitchell Gilbey gave the visiting Rocks an early third minute lead that a Ben Wood own goal cancelled out on 18 minutes. Gilbey restored East Thurrock`s lead less than a minute later, and they held that until just past the hour-mark when Ashley Carew equalised from the penalty spot.

Carew then made it 3-2 with another penalty in the last-minute, only for Ross Parmenter, who had only come off the bench in the 81st minute, to salvage a draw in stoppage time.

Two goals in an 11-minute first half spell at the Dripping Pan against Lewes extended Leiston`s unbeaten run to five games to move up into sixth position.

Gareth Heath opened the scoring with his 20th goal of the season on 19 minutes before Darren Mills deflected shot doubled the advantage.

Two contenders, Metropolitan Police and Kingstonian, cancelled each other out in a 0-0 Imber Court draw, while Bognor Regis Town are the others just about still in with a shout, despite being held to a 2-2 draw at fourth-bottom Witham Town.

But, considering the Rocks found themselves 2-0 down to a Lewis Godbold brace after 12 and 24 minutes, they would probably have settled for a point earned through a Lawrence Yiga own goal in the 73rd minute and sub Terry Dodd`s equaliser five minutes later.

Bottom-markers Bury Town just about kept themselves alive with a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels, whose Tom Parkinson rescued his side with a 78th minute leveller after David Lampshire`s 29th minute opener for the Blues.

Hampton & Richmond Borough hauled themselves seven points clear of the drop zone after a crucial win over another of the strugglers, AFC Hornchurch.

The game between two sides who were pre-season favourites to at least make the play-offs saw Moussa Diarra give the Beavers the boost of an early second minute lead. But George Purcell equalised right on half-time only for Duncan Culley to win it for Alan Dowson`s side with 10 minutes to go.

Second-bottom VCD Athletic are also still battling away and earned a good 1-1 draw at Grays Athletic to move to within three points of the safety-mark, Correy Davidson givving the home Blues a 49th minute lead that Leigh Bremner levelled with 18 minutes to go at Mill Field.

And Harrow Borough made it a decent day for the bottom sides as they won 1-0 at Earlsmead against Canvey Island, thanks to David Taylor`s goal 12 minutes from the end.