Southport put down a solid marker for their Blue Square North title pretentions by beating fellow promotion contenders Corby Town 4-0 at Haig Avenue on Saturday.
Ciaran Kilheeney gave `Port a 19th minute lead that Michael Powell doubled 10 minutes before the half time whistle.
Powell scored his second and Southport`s third in the 74th minute and Chris Simm made it 4-0 with 11 minutes remaining.
Droylsden are second, seven points adrift, after winning another of the Tameside derbies, this time at the Butcher`s Arms against struggling Hyde United.
It took a 59th minute Tony Gray effort to separate the sides in the end.
Third-placed Eastwood Town were beaten at Borough Park by a Workington side just glad to get a home game on after the dreadful Cumbrian weather.
A 35th minute Gareth Arnison penalty was the only goal of the game.
Fleetwood Town moved to within a couple of points of the Badgers in fourth after comprehensively beating the side who started the day above them in the table – Alfreton Town.
The home side had a day to forget and finished the game with nine-men when Aden Flint was sent-off on 75 minutes and Richard Pell was taken off injured 9 minutes later with both substitutes already used.
The Reds had led on 30 minutes when Andy Todd scored from a wide angle having been sent away by Josh Law in a one-on-one situation.
Fleetwood were level 2 minutes later when Pell tripped Steve Connors and Steve McNulty powered home a penalty.
The visitors went in 2-1 up at the break after Sean Clancy drilled home from 12 yards on 40 minutes.
Substitute Gareth Seddon made it 3-1 just 3 minutes into the second half when he hooked in from close range.
Alfreton lost Flint to a bizarre sending off on 75. The central defender seemed to be merely walking in the area when Connors, who had taken an earlier tumble in the area, appeared to get his legs tangled with Flint as he got to his feet. The referee's assistant thought otherwise and after a lengthy discussion, Flint walked.
Seddon made it 4-1 on 82 minutes when he turned the ball in from eight yards to finish a Michael Wilde cross.
Two minutes later Pell had to be taken off injured and a well beaten Alfreton finished the game on nine players.
Hinckley United moved closer to the top five after beating Stafford Rangers 3-1 at home.
Alex Taylor gave the Knitters a 23rd minute lead that Rangers` new loanee Henrik Ojamaa cancelled out 5 minutes later.
Connor Franklin restored the home side`s lead after 67 minutes and then Adam Webster made it safe with a third 11 minutes from time.
Farsley Celtic beat AFC Telford United 3-1 at Throstle Nest, going a goal up after less than 9 minutes through Lee Ellington.
Petr Skiba gifted the visitors an own goal equaliser after 25 minutes, but Gareth Grant eventually restored Celtic`s lead on the hour-mark and he scored again 2 minutes later to make it 3-1.
Mike Symons scored the only goal of the game in the 9th minute to earn Gloucester City a crucial three points against fellow strugglers Gainsborough Trinity at the Corinium Stadium, while Charlie O`Loughlin did likewise for Ilkeston Town in the 34th minute at bottom-markers Harrogate Town.
Second-bottom Vauxhall Motors also lost a big game involving another side in the bottom end of the table, Solihull Moors.
Indy Khela gave the hosts a 17th minute lead that Jamie McPike eventually doubled after 57 minutes.
Jake Edwards added a third on 72 minutes and 8 minutes later Mark Gardner made it 4-0.
The other game on Saturday ended all-square at 2-2 between Redditch United and Blyth Spartans at the Valley Stadium.
Tom Birch put the home side in front after 17 minutes but a Paul Brayson double on 50 and 62 minutes turned the game in Spartans` favour.
But Liam Murray popped up with the Reds` leveller with 14 minutes remaining.
