With Blue Square South leaders Newport County not due to play until Sunday, second-placed Dover Athletic had the opportunity to narrow the gap at the top to just two points as they travelled to struggling Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.
However, the gap remains five points after a battling 3-1 win by the Seagulls at the Woodspring Stadium where Jack Crompton put the home side ahead after 21 minutes.
On-loan Dave Gilroy made it 2-0 just 7 minutes into the second half and added a third 10 minutes later.
Shaun Welford reduced the arrears for the Whites 7 minutes later, but they were unable to make any further inroads and it ended up being a fine win for Weston.
That win for Andy Gurney`s men proved even more vital as rock-bottom Weymouth won for only the second time this season and Worcester City – just above the Seagulls – managed a useful 1-1 draw at another of the sides at the wrong end, Dorchester Town.
Jake Reid was the Terras` hero at Woodside Park against Bishop`s Stortford, netting the only goal of the game in the 17th minute.
At the Jewson Avenue Stadium, Craig Wilding put Worcester in front 8 minutes into the second half only for Matty Groves to restore parity in the 68th minute.
Stuart Douglas' first goal of the season just about gave ten-man Bath City the edge at Twerton Park against Chelmsford City.
The home side really had to work for the points, though, after Matt Coupe was sent-off in the 58th minute following a challenge on John Martin.
Ironically, it was the fourth game in succession against Chelmsford that Bath had been reduced to ten-men - and they have now won three of them.
However, they really rode their luck in the closing stages with the visitors hitting both posts in injury-time.
The game of the day between Thurrock and Woking - two of the top five – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch along with the game between Hampton & Richmond Borough and Havant & Waterlooville at the Beveree.
That meant Basingstoke Town could have gone level on points with third-placed Thurrock with victory at Maidenhead United, but instead went down to a 3-2 defeat at York Road.
It took an hour for the deadlock and elements to be overcome when Sam Collins put the home side in front.
Kieron St Aime added a second for the Magpies on 76 minutes but `Stoke battled back to equalise with goals from Gary Frewen from the penalty spot on 80 minutes and Fraser Franks 5 minutes later.
However, Alex Wall won in for the hosts in stoppage time.
Eastleigh moves to within three points of the play-off places, courtesy of a 1-0 win at the Sparshatts Stadium against struggling Lewes, whose Scott Manning inadvertedly handed the Spitfires the points with a 2nd minute own goal.
A week is a long time in football as Staines Town proved. Welling United`s new boss celebrated a 3-0 beating of last Saturday`s FA Cup heroes at Park View Road with goals from Tom Whitnell after 9 minutes, Lee Clarke just after half time and a Dave Woozley own goal a couple of minutes later.
And the other game to go ahead on Saturday between St Albans City and Braintree Town ended all-square at Clarence Park.
Danny Johnson broke the deadlock by putting the Saints in front with 16 minutes to go, only for Mark Jones to equalised for the Iron 5 minutes from time.
