Oxford United bounced back from the midweek defeat at Luton Town by beating ten-man Histon at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday to return to the top of the Blue Square Premier.
Histon were reduced to ten-men 5 minutes before the break when Adam Bygrave was sent-off for dissent.
And young winger Sam Deering took advantage straight after the restart when he belted home a 20-yard free kick for his first goal of the season.
Sub Matt Green wrapped up the points with a late, close-range clincher.
Stevenage Borough`s 1-0 defeat at Rushden & Diamonds helped rejuvenated Oxford return to the top - just four days after the shock of being beaten by two injury-time goals at Luton.
And Chris Wilder's men were further boosted by a defeat for their other big rivals, third-placed York City.
Rob Wolleaston scored a spectacular late winner to bolster Diamonds' promotion bid and knock Stevenage off the top of the table.
Substitute Wolleaston fired home a fine 30-yard effort 2 minutes from time after Boro only managed to half-clear Mark Byrne's corner.
The visitors had more of the possession but struggled to break down a resolute home defence.
David Bridges went closest for Stevenage, but his second half effort squirmed just wide of the post.
Wolleaston's goal sealed Rushden's fourth consecutive win and extended their unbeaten league run to seven games as they continue their push for a play-off spot.
Struggling Ebbsfleet United handed promotion-chasing York City their first defeat in eleven league games.
Fleet took the lead 7 minutes after the break when Moses Ashikodi found space in the area and fired into the bottom corner.
York then lost Richard Brodie when he was sent-off following a challenge which left Dean Pooley needing lengthy treatment on his head.
Courtney Pitt nearly equalised for the visitors but was denied by Lance Cronin and Fleet held on for a deserved win.
Luton Town recorded a third consecutive victory with a routine 1-0 win over struggling Eastbourne Borough at Priory Lane.
The Hatters made a bright start and wasted no time in taking advantage of their early dominance by bagging an 8th minute lead, Asa Hall firing a 25-yard shot past Danny Knowles for his sixth goal of the season.
Eastbourne almost drew level immediately, but Town goalkeeper Mark Tyler made an excellent save to keep out Marc Pullan's close-range strike.
The Hatters bossed possession thereafter and Hall nearly doubled his side's lead with a cross-shot that forced Knowles to be alert, while the keeper also denied Tom Craddock.
Richard Money will have been disappointed his side couldn't turn their chances into goals and he saw Craddock spurn another opportunity when well placed.
However, Boro rarely looked like forcing an equaliser and Luton held on for a thoroughly-deserved three points.
Mansfield Town maintained sixth place in the league standings after coming out on top in a six-goal thriller at Tamworth.
Rob Duffy put the Stags ahead with a 17th minute effort but the Lambs were quick to respond by drawing level through Michael Wylde 2 minutes later.
However, Mansfield reclaimed the lead in the 21st minute, thanks to Jon Shaw, and doubled their advantage when new loanee Andy Nicholas found the back of the net in the 42nd minute.
Tamworth's Jerome Murdock pulled one back in the 50th minute to give his side a glimmer of hope but the result was sealed when Blair Sturrock struck home an 87th minute effort.
Lee Phillips hit his first goal of the season to rescue a point as ten-man Cambridge United came from behind to draw with AFC Wimbledon.
United looked to be sliding to defeat, thanks to two Lewis Taylor goals when Antonio Murray was sent-off.
But Phillips headed home Aiden Palmer's cross to lift faltering Cambridge eight points clear of trouble.
Danny Crow headed Cambridge in front from six yards but Taylor struck with two shots either side of the interval.
Taylor fired his first, a right-foot effort from 12 yards, just before the break.
And midfielder Taylor then added a second from Danny Kedwell's cross 12 minutes after the resumption.
The hosts then saw Murray dismissed for serious foul play just past the hour - but 5 minutes later they were level, earning them their first point in seven league games since December 5th.
Wimbledon's point keeps them five points adrift of the play-off pack.
Kidderminster Harriers kept their play-off dreams alive after edging past Forest Green Rovers at Aggborough.
The Harriers got off to flying start as Brian Smikle fired them ahead in the 12th minute but the Rovers drew level in the 59th minute through Jonathan Smith's headed effort.
The match looked to be heading for a stalemate but substitute Damian Spencer popped up in injury-time to net a vital winning goal for Harriers.
Kettering Town kept their play-off aspirations alive with a 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Barrow at Holker Street.
Marcus Kelly broke the deadlock with a 53rd minute effort and Jean-Paul Marna sealed the result when he found the back of the net in the 77th minute.
Crawley Town claimed a vital three points against Altrincham to ensure an outside chance of making the end-of-season play-offs.
In-demand striker Charles Ademeno has been the subject of interest from a number of Football League clubs recently and he proved just why by netting the winning goal in the 58th minute.
Hayes & Yeading United further distanced themselves from the relegation places with a hard-fought victory over Gateshead at Church Road.
Justin Cochrane put the hosts ahead with a 31st minute effort but a penalty from Daryl Clare put the visitors back on even terms in the 39th minute.
Clare popped a minute before half time to head Gateshead ahead but the host rallied well after the break and drew level in the 63rd minute through James Mulley.
United were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when Dale Binns was adjudged to have fouled Darren Williams in the area and Steve Basham made no mistake from the spot to give the home the lead.
Grays Athletic will be feeling the pressure in the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat to Salisbury City at the New Recreation Ground.
The Whites opened their account after 28 minutes thanks to Matty Tubbs and doubled their tally when Sean Clohessy struck home an injury-time effort.
