We lead the table on goal difference after previous leaders Northwich Victoria were only able to pick up two draws this week. On New Year’s Day they were held 1-1 at Warrington Town. Scott Metcalfe scored an early penalty for the Wire, before Michael Roddy levelled for Northwich. Mossley were then able to earn a point at Northwich with a 0-0 draw.

Salford City could have regained top spot, but they lost to Droylsden. They had taken an early lead thanks to Danny Webber, but goals from Ben Deegan and Ciaran Kilheeney turned the game in the Bloods favour. Gareth Seddon made it 2-2 on the stroke of half-time only for Kilheeney to win the game for Droylsden 3-2.

Salford remain third despite returning to winning ways on Saturday at home to Kendal Town,2-1, under the temporary management of Phil Neville. The Ammies have replaced manager Phil Power with the duo of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley from Ramsbottom United, with Neville taking charge for one game. Goals in the first half from Bohan Dixon and Sam Madeley gave Salford a comfortable lead, but they were hanging on at full time when Zach Clark pulled a goal back for Kendal. Both Salford and Northwich only trail Darlington on goal difference, however the Quakers have three games in hand on both sides.

Droylsden were unable to build on their victory at home to Salford, as they were held on Saturday at Prescot Cables, 1-1. Liam Dodd gave Prescot the lead just before half time with Andrew Fowler netting in the second period for Droylsden. They are four points off top spot, but have played more games than all the sides above them.

Scarborough Athletic picked up back to back wins to keep hold of the final play off place. They first comfortably beat Brighouse Town 4-0 with goals from Gary Bradshaw, Alex Peterson, James Ghaichem and James Beadle.

Beadle was Athletics only goal scorer in their impressive victory, 1-0, against Spennymoor Town at the weekend. They are now level on points with Droylsden, but have two games in hand.

Harrogate RA are just two points outside the playoffs despite winning one and losing one from their two games this week. They had appeared on course for victory away to Farsley, when they led 2-0 at the break through goals from Michael Morris and Rob Youhill. However, a dramatic turnaround saw Farsley claim all the points thanks to goals from Andrew Welsh, Adam Priestley, Lewis Nightingale and Aiden Savory giving them the victory 4-2.

Early goals from the league’s top scorer Nathan Cartman and Mal Farquharson saw Harrogate go 2-0 up at home to Ossett Albion. Despite Albion pulling a goal back through Ross Hardaker, Harrogate were able to hold on for the 2-1 win.

Farsley suffered a set-back in their promotion bid, as they were shocked by New Mills. New Mills opened the scoring though Jake Pollard, but Adam Priestley appeared to have rescued a point for Farsley three minutes from full time. Deren Bozkurt had other ideas though, as he won the game for New Mills 2-1, to help them in their survival bid.

Bamber Bridge had a tough week picking up just one point from two winnable fixtures. First, they drew 2-2 away to Radcliffe Borough when they were denied victory in stoppage time. David Sherlock had given Radcliffe the lead, before Alistair Waddecar and Paul McKenna turned the game in Bamber Bridge’s favour. Despite this Jack Hindle scored in stoppage time to earn a point for Radcliffe.

Bamber then again suffered last minute heartache when they lost away to Lancaster City, 1-0, with the only goal of the game coming from Matthew Poole.

Spennymoor Town eased to victory against Ossett Town with all the goals in their 3-0 win coming in the first half, Liam Henderson, Shane Henry and Kallum Griffiths scoring the goals. Despite being eight points outside the playoff places, the Brewers still have games in hand on all the other sides in the promotion race.

Mossley remain in the top ten after coming from behind to earn a victory against bottom of the table Padiham. Brett Ormerod had given Padiham a 2-0 lead, but a goal from Kyle McGonigle and a double from Samuel Robinson gave Mossley the victory 3-2.

Clitheroe are in the top half of the table after a win and a loss this week. At home to Lancaster City they lost 1-0 thanks to a Garry Hunter goal just minutes from full time. Clitheroe were though able to pick up a comfortable victory away to Radcliffe Borough 4-0. Sefton Gonzales scored a double, along with goals from Rob Bonaminio and Jason Hart to ensure the victory.

Elsewhere Ossett Albion won 3-2 against New Mills to keep a distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Connor Bower, Adam Muller and Adam Jones netting for Albion.

Burscough were held at home by third bottom Prescot Cables, 1-1. Neil Prince gave Prescot the lead before Matthew Devine levelled for Burscough in the final ten minutes. On Saturday they were then beaten at home by Warrington Town. Craig Robinson, Ben Wharton and Ashley Ruane gave Warrington a 3-0 lead, with Jordan Williams scoring a consolation in the final ten minutes for Burscough as they lost 3-1.

In the final game this week, Ossett Town beat bottom club Padiham 1-0 thanks to a goal right on half time from Steven Jeff.

On Saturday Darlington travel to bottom of the table Padiham, who we beat earlier in the season at Heritage Park, 1-0. Northwich Victoria have a tough trip at Spennymoor, while Salford City go to Bamber Bridge.

Fixtures 10th January

Bamber Bridge v Salford City

Brighouse Town v Lancaster City

Clitheroe v Droylsden

Farsley v Radcliffe Borough

Kendal v Radcliffe Borough

Kendal Town v Ossett Town

Mossley v Burscough

Ossett Albion v Scarborough Athletic

Padiham v Darlington

Prescot Cables v New Mills

Spennymoor Town v Northwich Victoria

Warrington Town v Harrogate RA