Blue Square North leaders Fleetwood Town seem to be suffering from nerves as they suffered a second successive defeat on Saturday, this time at home to play-off chasing Northwich Victoria.
Fleetwood`s unbeaten home record was smashed by in-form Vics, who went ahead a minute before the interval when a hopeful ball into the area wasn`t cleared and Mark Danks was given time to shoot firmly past Craig Dootson in the home goal.
The second and killer goal arrived on 69 minutes when a far post cross saw Brian Dutton outjump the defence to head home.
Vics added a third 12 minutes from the end when they broke away and Dutton`s cross found substitute Lee Elam unmarked and he easily beat Dootson.
It could have been much worse for the Cod Army, however, as second-placed neighbours Southport were held to a 1-1 draw at the Rockingham Triangle by Corby Town, whose own play-0ff chances have perhaps now gone.
And with a bit more luck, the Steelmen would have been claiming all three points as they more than matched their high-flying opponents.
The Steelmen made a dream start when skipper Phil Gulliver fired them ahead after just 65 seconds after `Port failed to clear a Brett Solkhon free kick.
However, the title-challenging Sandgrounders were level on 21 minutes after Dave Deeney left a backpass short and Cairan Kilheeney stole in to roll the ball home.
Corby then held on, despite having Steve Towers sent-off for a second yellow card in the final minute.
Indeed, only Hinckley United of the top five won on Saturday, with Droylsden losing at home to Farsley Celtic and Alfreton Town sharing a 1-1 draw at Stafford Rangers.
The Knitters beat Ilkeston Town 1-0 at the New Manor Ground, courtesy of a goal just before half time by Dan Dillon.
Droylsden were surprisingly downed at the Butcher`s Arms by a Farsley side now eight points clear of the drop zone.
An eventful game, the Celts come from a 27th minute Tony Gray penalty behind to win 2-1, despite the first half sending off of David Syers.
Goals by Gareth Grant after 36 minutes and Scott Driscoll a minute before half time cancelled out the Bloods` lead.
Despite a second half onslaught, Droylsden were unable to make the extra man pay and Celtic hung on for three vital points.
Alfreton took a 16th minute lead through Paul Clayton at Marston Road, but had to be content with one point after Tony Dinning`s spot-kick equaliser 18 minutes from time.
And chasing Eastwood Town and AFC Telford United were also beaten, handing Northwich and Stalybridge Celtic fresh hope of making the play-offs.
The Badgers went down to a 2-1 defeat at Damson Park against a resurgent Solihull Moors side for whom this fourth successive win pulls them well clear of the drop zone.
They left it late though, with Jake Edwards breaking the deadlock with 11 minutes to go and then Dean Lea making the game safe a minute from time, despite Danny Holland netting an injury-time reply for Eastwood.
Telford were beaten 4-0 at Croft Park by Blyth Spartans and ended the game with ten-men following the dismissal of Sean Evans.
But Spartans were already four-up by then, thanks to goals from Ian Graham and Paul Brayson, who both bagged braces in the 16th and 72nd and 45th and 76th minute respectively.
Stalybridge rekindled their hopes of catching the top five with a 3-2 Bower Fold success over relegation-threatened Gainsborough Trinity. But they left it late.
Joe O`Neill gave Celtic a 23rd minute lead and 2 minutes later veteran Jody Banim doubled their advantage.
However, Trinity fought back to pull back on terms with goals from Luke Beckett right on half time and Sam Aiston 4 minutes after the break.
A draw looked likely until sub Conner Jennings popped up with a stoppage time winner for the hosts.
Vuaxhall Motors gave themselves a lifeline at the foot of the table with a vital 1-0 home win over fellow stugglers Hyde United
Josh Wilson scored the only goal 14 minutes from the end to give the Motormen a massive three points that puts them five points adrift of fourth-bottom Redditch United and six of Hyde.
Redditch were beaten by an early 4th minute Ryan Bowman goal at Borough Park against mid-table Workington.
