Southport moved to within four points of Blue Square North leaders Fleetwood Town with two games in hand after their 1-0 win over play-off chasing Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold on Tuesday night.
Stalybridge, fresh from a 4-0 hammering of relegation-threatened Harrogate Town last Saturday, were beaten when Steve Daly scored the only goal of the game just before the interval to give the Sandgrounders a vital win.
Third-placed Alfreton Town continued their fine run of form with a 5-0 thrashing of Droylsden at the Impact Arena.
A Liam Hearn hat trick with goals in the 38th, 56th and 58th minutes after goals from Jake Moult on 29 minutes and Paul Clayton on 13 saw the Reds romp to a comfortable victory against their fellow play-off contenders.
Two sides chasing the play-off pack, Northwich Victoria and Corby Town, battled out a 2-2 draw at the Victoria Stadium.
Former Scottish under-21 international Gavin Strachan volleyed home the Steelmen`s equaliser with 3 minutes left.
With both sides next to each in the table before kick-off – and both with clear play-off ambitions – this was a `six-pointer` that neither could really afford to lose.
Wayne Riley gave the home side the boost of a 9th minute lead that Leon Mettam eventually cancelled out on 58 minutes.
Michael Connor then restored Vics` lead with 15 minutes to go, and that looked like being that until Strachan struck at the end.
Gainsborough Trinity moved level on points with fourth-bottom Gloucester City after beating fellow strugglers Hyde United 2-1 at the Northolme.
Top scorer Luke Beckett put Trinity in front after 16 minutes, only for Kieran Mooney to level after 35 minutes.
But 13 minutes from time Lewis McMahon popped up with the winner for Brian Little`s side to maintain their recent upsurge in form.
The other game played on Tuesday between Blyth Spartans and Workington ended in a goalless draw at Croft Park.
