Saturday's Round Up: Vanarama National League North

By Steve Whitney

Salford City moved four points clear at the top of the table on Saturday after an amazing finale at the Peninsula Stadium saw them secure the three points with a very late winner against mid-table Alfreton Town.

Despite there being plenty of chances for Salford, especially in the first half, a hard-fought match looked like ending goalless in front of a crowd of 2,074.

However, in the 3rd minute of stoppage time at the end of the game, Salford won it when sub Manny Dieseruvwe scored from a corner.

Brackley Town are third after showing Tommy Wright what a tough test he has on his hands at Darlington FC by winning 3-0 at Blackwell Meadows.

Andy Brown gave the Northamptonshire visitors an 18th minute lead with a header from an Adam Walker cross.

It was 2-0 with 3 minutes of the first half remaining when Shane Byrne ran through, drew Quakers `keeper Adam Bartlett and set up Aaron Williams to tap in.

And the Saints completed a good away performance 10 minutes from time when |Ellis Myles netted a third with a low shot.

Spennymoor Town moved into fourth after they won at Nuneaton Town and north-east neighbours Blyth Spartans were beaten at Bradford Park Avenue.
Moors won 1-0 at Liberty Way, thanks to a late 83rd minute Glen Taylor goal from close range.

Blyth were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium.

It took only 3 minutes for Wayne Brooksby to open the scoring for the home side.

Oli Johnson then profited from some poor defending to double Avenue`e lead on the stroke of half-time.

More defensive mistakes cost Blyth 7 minutes after the break, with Jamie Spencer adding a third for the hosts.

And Adam Boyes put Avenue 4-0 up with 66 minutes gone on the clock.

Robbie Dale then converted a free-kick in the 70th minute, but it proved to be nothing but a consolation for Spartans.

York City are sixth after they overcame Curzon Ashton 2-1 at Bootham Crescent.

Big Jon Parkin opened the Minstermen`s account after 18 minutes.

Danny Parslow then added a second on 33 minutes.

Joe Guest `won` the second half for the Nash with a 57th minute reply, but the home side held firm for three crucial points.

Stockport County moved into eighth place and to within a point of the top seven after beating struggling and managerless neighbours FC United of Manchester 4-1 at Edgeley Park.

In front of a tremendous crowd of 4,072, it took only 6 minutes for Matty Warburton to put the home side in front.

And just 4 minutes later, the Hatters were two-up through Jason Oswell.

New loan signing Kallum Mantack made it 3-0 with 3 minutes of the first half remaining.

And although Jason Gilchrist reduced the deficit 10 minutes into the second half, a foul by Matty Hughes on Oswell saw Warburton add his second and County`s fourth from the penalty spot on the hour-mark.

Kevin Davies` Southport side were held by bottom-markers North Ferriby United at the Merseyrail Community Stadium – only the Villagers` seventh point of the season to date.

Mark Gray put Ferriby in front on the half-hour mark, converting Steve Brogan's free-kick at the far post.

Steven Schumacher pulled Southport level after 39 minutes with a low first-time effort after Dom Smith's cross had been only partially cleared.

Six minutes after half-time, Port took the lead through Jordan Hallam, who converted Brad Jackson's left-wing cross from close range.

But North Ferriby equalised on the hour-mark when Ross Burrows saw a shot saved from Darnelle Bailey-King's cross, allowing Kuda Muskwe to pounce on the loose ball.

The dreaded manager of the month curse struck again as, 24 hours after Leamington boss Paul Holleran celebrated winning October`s award, his side suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to struggling Boston United.

Boston ripped the form book as the team without a win in seven league games beat a side who were unbeaten in as many.

In caretaker-manager Karl Hawley’s first win in temporary charge, Brad McGowan gave the Pilgrims a 34th minute lead and Ashley Hemmings added the second from the spot just 3 minutes later.

Boston moved up a place to third-bottom and above FC United following this win.

Where next?

Saturday's Round-Up: Vanarama National League South Braintree Town moved level on points with leaders Dartford on Saturday after beating Bognor Regis Town 3-0 at Cressing Road.
Son of Brendan Rodgers Joins The Crusaders! Ian Herring and Jon Boardman, joint-managers of Hungerford Town, have pulled off something of a coup signing by adding attacking midfielder Anton Rodgers to their squad.