It was a dramatic Easter weekend in the National North with all the teams playing two games which has had a huge impact on the table before the final fixtures take place this weekend.

We picked up an impressive 1-0 win thanks to Stephen Thompson against Bradford Park Avenue on Friday before a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Guiseley on Monday. The results leave us 16^th in the table ahead of our final game at home to Leamington.

That victory for Guiseley ensured their safety in the division this season, meaning Ashton United and FC United of Manchester were both relegated from the National North division.

The top of the table saw twists and turns throughout the weekend. The top two Chorley and Stockport County met on Saturday in what was built up to be a title decider. Chorley came out on top with a 2-0 victory thanks to Andrew Teague and Marcus Carver. That put Chorley two points clear and with a better goal difference.

On Monday County beat Curzon Ashton 2-0 after Ashley Palmer and Matthew Warburton’s first half strikes. While Chorley played at Spennymoor, who will definitely now participate in the playoffs. The visitors missed a late penalty to win the game before Spennymoor produced further late drama when Glen Taylor struck in the final minute to give them a 1-0 win.

What it means is Stockport go into the final week a point ahead of Chorley, knowing victory at bottom of the table Nuneaton will give them the title and promotion.

Prior to their win against Chorley, Spennymoor had sealed their top seven spot with victory at York. James Curtis and Scott Harrison had twice given the Brewers the lead, but both times York fought back thanks to Alexander Kempster and Sean Newton. However, Spenny took the lead for the third time through Ryan Hall with 12 minutes to go and this time they hung on.  It leaves them fourth in the table one point behind Brackley in third.

Brackley picked up four points from their two games as they look to finish third and go straight through to the playoff semi-finals. On Friday they beat Boston United 2-0 through James Armson and Shane Byrne before drawing 0-0 at Chester.

Altrincham also gained four points out of six to seal their playoff spot and they are likely now to finish fifth. Joshua Hancock and Max Harrop gave Alty a 2-0 win at Nuneaton on Saturday. They were then held at home by Hereford despite taking the lead through Jordan Hulme, after Thomas Owen-Evans earned the Bulls a 1-1 draw.

Two of the final playoff spots are still up for grabs and will be taken by two of Blyth, Bradford PA and Telford. Blyth are the team in form and two wins mean their destiny is in their own hands. Kieran Green and Nathan Buddle earned them the three points on Friday at home to Guiseley. They then won 2-1 at FC United of Manchester thanks to Jarratt Rivers and a stoppage time strike from Adam Wrightson. Jack Banister had pulled the hosts level.

Bradford PA and Telford are now both one point behind Blyth and are currently only separated by one goal difference. Bradford were unable to bounce back after defeat at Blackwell Meadows as they lost on Monday 3-1 at home to York. Lewis Knight had put Bradford ahead but three goals in the final 23 minutes from Patrick Mclaughlin, Jordan Burrow and Macauley Langstaff earned the visitors the points.

Telford are also stumbling towards the playoffs as they drew both their fixtures this weekend. On Saturday they were held at Hereford 1-1. Rowan Liburd put Hereford ahead, with Shane Sutton scoring just after the hour mark for Telford. On Monday they were then kept out by Alfreton with the sides drawing 0-0.

If Blyth beat Southport they will finish sixth, Bradford PA currently are seventh, but their final game is at title chasing Chorley.

Ashton United’s hopes of avoiding relegation were ended at the weekend with two losses. On Friday Iwan Murray, Daniel Livesey and George Waring sent them to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chester. On Monday relegation was confirmed with a 2-1 defeat at Boston United. Thomas Clare put the Pilgrims head in the second minute before Jamie Reed levelled for Ashton. However, just three minutes later Ryan Cresswell scored what would be the deciding goal.

FC United of Manchester also lost their place in the division for next season after their defeat to Blyth on Monday. On Saturday they had given themselves a chance with a 3-2 win at Alfreton. Louis Myers, Kurt Willoughby and Samuel Baird with the goals for FC United, Richard Peniket and Thomas Allan had twice levelled for the hosts. However, the three points could not help FC United avoid the drop.

Kidderminster Harriers hopes of making the top seven came to an end after they only gained one point over the weekend. Joe Ironside had given them the lead at home to Leamington, before Jack Edwards and Junior English turned the game in the Brakes favour and they were able to hold on for the 2-1 win.

Harriers had to come from behind twice at Southport, after Dion Charles had scored a double. Kacy Butterfield and Ironside did make it 2-2, but they were unable to find the winner that would have kept their playoff hopes alive.

On Friday Southport had won comfortably 3-0 at Curzon Ashton. Charles again was on the scoresheet as were Jack Sampson and Marcus Wood. They are now 13^th and could still finish in the top half.

Our next opponents Leamington are in fine form and a Colby Bishop hat-trick gave them a 3-0 win over relegated Nuneaton on Monday.