CONFERENCE: WEEKEND ROUND-UP
Leaders held by hard-working Woking
Nationwide Conference leaders Barnet were pegged back by mid-table Woking, who earned a creditable point at Underhill on Saturday. The Bees were twice given the lead by the division's top scorer Giuliano Graziloli, who struck his 10th and 11th goals of the season, but Raphael Nade and Ian Selley both equalized for The Cards, who fought back despite being reduced to ten men just after the hour.
Both Carlisle and Gravesend & Northfleet grasped the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table as they recorded victories to close within a point of Barnet. The Cumbrians claimed their fourth successive win as they beat Crawley Town 1-0 through Craig Farrell's late goal.
Gravesend, meanwhile, beat Leigh RMI 4-1, with all the goals coming in the second half. Fleet boss Andy Ford celebrated seven years in charge of the club by working his magic inspire a strong performance from his side after a goalless first 45 minutes. Lee Protheroe got the ball rolling for the home side with a superb free-kick eight minutes after the re-start, and Roy Essandoh added two more within ten minutes, before Steve McKimm headed home the fourth. Leigh substitute scored the consolation goal for the visitors five minutes from the end.
Bulls and Shots stay in touch
Hereford United failed to take their chance to overtake Barnet at the top as they were held to a goalless draw by Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. However, The Bulls are still just a point behind The Bees, alongside Carlisle and Gravesend.
Aldershot moved up to sixth place with a 2-1 win at Tamworth, overtaking Accrington Stanley who fell to a same scoreline defeat at Farnborough. The Shots came from a goal down at half time to record an important victory through Adam Miller and Jon Challinor, who hit a stunning volley to give the visitors the points.
Halifax also won 2-1, at home to Exeter, moving them to within a point of Accrington. Dean Howell's penalty gave The Shaymen victory after Darren Mansaram had put them ahead and Chris Todd had equalized for The Grecians.
Last minute success for celebrating Seadogs
Scarborough's Keith Gilroy left it late to score the goal that earned his side their first win in six games, as they celebrated their 125th birthday. He fired the ball in from edge of the box three minutes into stoppage time to break the deadlock at Forest Green Rovers, who were cruelly denied their second point of the season.
Minstermen moving up
After a shaky start to life in the Nationwide Conference, York City seem to be finding their feet and they moved up to 13th in the table with a 3-1 home win over Stevenage Borough on Saturday. York made it four games without defeat with a hard-fought win over Stevenage. Goals from Andy Bishop, Lee Nogan and player-boss Chris Brass secured another win for the Minstermen, who have now gone four games without defeat.
Positive thinking helps Vics reduce deficit
After being hit with a ten-point penalty for going into administration last week, the divisions's bottom club Northwich Victoria immediately showed their fighting spirit as they twice came from behind against Dagenham & Redbridge to chalk off one of their minuses. Jon Allan hit both goals for the home side, equalizing Glen Southam's brace for The Daggers. The result leaves The Vics on -4, still five points adrift of Forest Green and a further five behind Leigh RMI.
The remaining match in the Nationwide Conference produced no goals, as Canvey Island and Morecambe too a point apiece from a hard-fought contest that leaves Canvey still searching for their first home win since their promotion.
