FC Halifax Town regained their spot in the playoff places after a 2-0 victory over Nuneaton Town. Adam Morgan opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour, with Matt Kosylo adding to the score line from the penalty spot, three minutes into the second half. Billy Heath’s Shaymen now move into fifth, with Nuneaton 14th.
Stockport County were denied two precious points after a stoppage time equaliser from hosts Alfreton gave the East Midlands side a draw. Josh Amis gave County a first half lead, but a 92nd minute strike from Liam Hearn rescued a point for Alfreton who sit 16th with games in hand on teams around them. Stockport sit sixth, below the Shaymen after suffering late drama.
Bradford PA picked up three crucial points against survival rivals Gainsborough, with a ruthless second half putting them to the sword by five goals to one. Goalkeeper George Willis saw red after 19 minutes for the visitors, with Nicky Wroe subsequently putting Park Avenue in front. Gavin Rothery equalised, but a bulldozing last half hour saw Danny Boshell, Oli Johnson and Chris Sharp add to PA’s score line before Wroe’s second rounded off the thrashing. PA are in 20th place, with Gainsborough staying in 17th.
AFC Fylde dropped points at home in an unexpected turn of events as 40-year-old Lee Hughes rescued a point for new side AFC Telford at Mill Farm. Dan Bradley’s strike put the leaders into a first half lead, before Hughes’ debut goal gave Telford a creditable draw. Fylde stay top but now only lead Kidderminster by seven points, having played two games more. Telford are in at 18th, currently safe on goal difference.
Gloucester City picked up an impressive win, beating Salford City 3-2 down in the West Country. Luke Hopper gave the hosts the lead before the Manchester side levelled through Billy Priestley. Joe Hanks made it 2-1, before Salford replied again through Mike Phenix. Hopper then added to his tally to score what turned out to be the winner. Gloucester are up to 10th, with Salford remaining third, 10 points from the leaders.
Harrogate Town continued their playoff push with a comfortable 3-0 win over Worcester City. Simon Ainge gave the Yorkshire side the lead, with Danny Ellis and Louie Swain adding goals in the second half. The hosts are now into ninth, six points behind the Shaymen in the playoffs, with Worcester facing a fight in 19th, only above the waterline on goal difference.
Curzon Ashton’s brave fightback was not enough to salvage any respite from a blistering Kidderminster start at Aggborough. The hosts looked much the side who may swoop in for the coveted automatic promotion spot, mustering a 3-0 lead in just 16 minutes through James McQuilkin’s brace and Andre Brown’s effort. Ryan Hall and Jordan Wright replied, but Curzon sit 13th with Kiddie breathing down Fylde’s necks, seven points behind with two games in hand.
It was 10-a-side at the Lamb Ground as Tamworth came out 2-1 winners over Brackley. Paul Green’s early opener started things well for Tamworth, with Reece Styche doubling the lead. Styche was then sent off in an incident also involving Brackley’s Shane Byrne. Matt Lowe fired a late consolation for the visitors, who are in 11th, with Tamworth’s playoff hopes still very much alive in seventh.
A thrilling comeback by Chorley saw them come from a 3-0 half-time deficit to draw 3-3 at FC United in a classic game of two halves. Jason Gilchrist, Matthew Wolfenden and Nathan Lowe put FC United in a seemingly unassailable lead, but Jack Sampson and Robbie McDaid clawed Chorley back into proceedings. Veteran goalkeeper Adriano Basso was then dismissed late on for FC United, allowing Sampson to double his tally with a dramatic injury time leveller. FC United are comfortable in 12th, with Chorley’s hard-earned point seeing them stay in fourth.
Darlington and Altrincham’s match in the North East was postponed due to heavy overnight rain – a rearranged date will be confirmed in due course.
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