Saturday`s Round-Up: Vanarama National League North

Blyth Spartans missed the chance to pull to within three points of third-placed Brackley Town when they were beaten 1-0 at The Phillips 66 Community Stadium by a Leamington side who were in desperate need of the points to pull away from the drop zone.

And Daniel Udoh`s goal 5 minutes into the second half ultimately earned them all three points and lifted them to fifteenth in the table, four points above the drop zone.

It actually turned out to be a decent day for the teams at the bottom end of the table.

Kidderminster Harriers dropped to sixth after a last-gasp defeat at Blackwell Meadows against a Darlington side now fourteenth and five points above the relegation places.

The hosts took the lead after 10 minutes through Josh Heaton’s close-range finish.

But Harriers created plenty of chances and were eventually back on level terms through Joe Ironside in the 78th minute - his 18th of the season.

The Quakers snatched all three points at the death as Alfie Thompson drove the ball on the angle and into the far corner of the net.

York City produced an uninspiring display after being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Alfreton Town at Bootham Crescent.

Simon Heslop gave the Minstermen an early 5th minute lead that was cancelled out by former York defender Tom Allan 7 minutes before the break.

The point pulled the Reds up to sixteenth, three points in front of an AFC Telford United side who won on Saturday, beating FC United of Manchester 1-0 at the New Bucks Head.

Eighteen-year-old John McAtee got his first goal for the club after 33 minutes to secure a hugely important victory for Rob Edwards side.

Bradford Park Avenue were looking to pull to within a point of the play-off places when they hosted rock-bottom and almost doomed North Ferriby United at the Horsfall Stadium.

However, Ferriby stunned Avenue with a 1-0 victory – only their second of the season and first since August 19th!

The visitors then took a shock lead with 19 minutes on the clock as debutant Lewis Collins forged his way into the box and drilled his shot past Steven Drench.

Avenue piled forward in droves as the clock ticked but couldn’t find a way past Ross Durrant, and Ferriby even came close to extending their lead in stoppage time when Drench made a fantastic save to deny Collins a second.

But Chris Bolder could celebrate his first win as Ferriby boss, although they still require wins from virtually all of their remaining games to avoid the drop!

Nuneaton Town came from behind to claim a valuable point at home to another side chasing a top seven spot, Chorley.

The draw sees Boro extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, following back-to-back away victories at Spennymoor Town and Stockport County.

Dino Maamria’s side drew level through Ashley Chambers 6 minutes from time after Josh Wilson struck for the visitors 4 minutes before the break.

Southport`s good run continued as they made it one defeat in six and three successive wins after coming back from behind to beat Curzon Ashton 3-1 at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

Matt Regan`s 14th minute effort gave the Nash the lead that in-form striker Jason Gilchrist cancelled out 11 minutes later.

A Daniel Shaw own goal on 35 minutes sent Port into the break in front, with Elliot Osborne adding a third in stoppage time at the end of the game.