We were held to a 0-0 draw with Southport on Saturday which left us 16^th in the league table, moving above Leamington but falling below Alfreton.

Alfreton surprised league leaders Chorley as the gap at the top of the table closed to just three points.  Marcus Carvey had given Chorley a first half lead, but a quick fire double at the start of the second half from Daniel Clarke and Daniel O’Brien gave Alfreton a 2-1 win.

Second placed Stockport County took advantage by beating playoff chases Telford United 3-2. Nyal Bell and Matthew Warburton twice put County ahead, but both times Telford levelled through Shane Sutton and Brendon Daniels. However, Warburton struck for a second time with 20 minutes left to earn Stockport the points.

Spennymoor are still in touch with the top two and have two games in hand on both after a 2-0 win at struggling Nuneaton. They had to wait until the final quarter of an hour to break the deadlock but goals from Glen Taylor and Mark Anderson gave the Brewers the points.

Brackley continued their surge up the table and are now fourth following a 2-0 success at home to Curzon Ashton. Carl Baker scored both goals for Brackley either side of half time.

Playoff chases Altrincham and Bradford Park Avenue held each other to a 1-1 draw. Altrincham had looked like they were going to take all the points through Joshua Hancock’s first half strike. However, Daniel East levelled six minutes from time for Bradford.

Chester and now only one point outside the top seven after a 4-1 victory at home to Boston. Akwasi Asante, Anthony Dudley, Craig Mahon and George Waring scored the goals for the hosts, with Ben Davies grabbing the Pilgrims consolation.

In the fight for survival, two huge games took place involving four sides in trouble, but both ultimately ended in draws. Ashton United and Herford held each other to a 0-0 draw, which keeps Ashton United in the final relegation place.

Second bottom FC United of Manchester and fourth bottom Guiseley also shared the points in a 3-3 draw. Niall Heaton gave the visitors an early lead, but Kurt Willoughby levelled shortly after for FC United. Guiseley then took control as Rowan Liburd and William Hatfield put them 3-1 ahead. However, late goals from Willoughby and Thomas Peers grabbed a point for FC United, but they still remain eight points off safety.

Kidderminster Harriers playoff hopes received a blow as they lost 2-1 at home to York City. Kallum Grifiths put York ahead in the first half with Joe Ironside levelling for Harriers with quarter of an hour to go. However, Scott Burgess struck late on for York who are now just four points behind their opponents.

Blyth Spartans kept their playoff hopes alive with victory at Leamington. Kieran Green and Dan Maguire gave Spartans the perfect start to put them 2-0 up inside seven minutes. Colby Bishop pulled one back for Leamington in the second half, but Blyth held on for a 2-1 win.