CONFERENCE: WEEKEND ROUND-UP
Barnet boss Paul Fairclough was pleased with his side's efforts after The Bees took a point from their trip to Woking on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the Nationwide Conference to 14 points.
Lee Roche scored after 10 minutes to give Barnet the lead, but the home side responded well and equalized through a Luke Oliver header. The Cards could have won it late on, but Bees keeper Scott Tynan saved from Steve Ferguson to keep the scoreline at 1-1.
Fairclough said afterwards: "We come to an away fixture and end up further clear, it's been a very good day. Woking are a very strong side and made it difficult for us - we can't have it all our own way all of the time and we have to scrap for every point."
> Full match highlights available now on www.conferencefootball.tv
Second-placed Carlisle failed to capitalize on Barnet's draw as they fell a further point behind the champions-elect following a 1-0 defeat at Crawley Town. Paul Armstrong's 67th-minute strike was enough to give last season's Southern League champions an excellent victory, moving them up to ninth in the table, and extending The Cumbrians' winless streak to four games.
A brace from Lee McEvilly secured victory for Accrington Stanley over Farnborough, as they took advantage of Hereford's defeat and Exeter's exploits in the FA Cup to move up to third in the table. McEvilly headed the home side in front in the 11th minute, connecting sweetly with Rory Prendergast's cross, and he coolly slotted home the winner in the second half after Boro had leveled through Gary Holloway.
Hereford were soundly beaten by Burton Albion, who made it three wins in a row thanks to a first-half goal from Kris Taylor and second-half penalties from Craig Dudley and Jon Shaw. Taylor fired in from Aaron Webster's cross in the 19th minute and Dudley converted the first spot-kick four minutes after the break, following a handball from Tamika Mkandawire. Dudley was brought down by Tony James 15 minutes from time, and this time Shaw stepped up to strike home from the spot.
Anthony Elding scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season to earn high-flying Stevenage a point against strugglers York. The visiting Minstermen twice led, through Paul Robinson and Byron Webster, but Elding hit back on both occasions to ensure that Boro remained in sixth place in the table, and well in the hunt for a play-off spot.
Fellow promotion hopefuls Scarborough suffered a setback as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-fighters Forest Green, who have drawn five of their last six games as they look to climb out of the bottom three. Boro did at least maintain their unbeaten home record while Rovers are now just two points behind Farnborough and York who sit just above the drop zone.
Morecambe stretched their unbeaten run to seven games as four second-half goals brought them an emphatic victory over Canvey Island. Danny Carlton turned in the first two minutes after half time, and Gary Hunter doubled their lead just after the hour after Carlton had been fouled by Peter Smith. Garry Thompson hit the third from close range and Lee Elam converted Carlton's cross in the 77th minute to wrap things up for the Shrimps.
Aldershot were the victors in a thrilling game against Tamworth that produced seven goals. The Lambs went ahead in the 7th minute through Kyle Storer but The Shots quickly turned things round with Tim Sills equalizing two minutes later and Nick Crittenden putting them in front after 14 minutes. Prolific veteran striker Bob Taylor restored parity on the half hour but the home side were in front again in the 61st minute thanks to Jon Challinor. Tyrone Smith volleyed in a fourth for Aldershot and Taylor headed his second of the match in the final minute to make it 4-3, but there was no time for another equalizer.
Two goals from Mark Quayle helped boost Northwich's slim chances of survival as they held on to beat Dagenham & Redbridge 3-2. Quayle scored in the eighth and 61st minutes, either side of Paul Bruce's equalizer for the Daggers, and Danny Mayman hit the Vics' third in the 64th minute. Chris Moore gave the home side hope of snatching a point with his 72nd-minute penalty, but Northwich hung on to claim three much-needed points.
Gravesend & Northfleet finally ended their long run without a victory as they beat Leigh RMI 1-0, much to the relief of manager Andy Ford. The Fleet had not won a Conference game for three months but Adam Drury's goal was enough to end their barren spell as the struggling Railwaymen had two men sent off late on.
Speaking after the game, Ford said: "It wasn't going to be easy, as it was very wet underfoot. It was never going to be pretty football - we just had to turn people and get in behind them. It was a really good performance in the first half, especially as we had to defend against the wind and the hail - our back four were very good."
