Doesn`t it always happen? A side wins the league or triumphs in a cup competition and then go and lose their very next league game!
Well, that’s exactly what happened to Blue Square South champions Newport County on Saturday.
Probably having celebrated a little too much too often since last Monday`s win over Havant & Waterlooville, the Exiles aided Thurrock`s play-off bid by losing 2-1 at Ship Lane.
Gary Warren actually gave County a 19th minute lead, but David Bryant equalised 9 minutes later and Leon McKenzie netted what proved to be the Essex side`s winner and only County`s second league defeat of the season, after 70 minutes.
Chelmsford City, Braintree Town and Dover Athletic all maintained their play-off challenges with victories on Saturday, but both Staines Town and Bath City slipped up – the latter at home to Braintree – allowing Welling United and Thurrock to gain ground.
Chelmsford hammered another nail in Weymouth`s Blue Square South coffin and they are beginning to need snookers to avoid the drop, although perhaps even the most ardent Terras` fan accepts they are already down.
Ricky Holmes gave City the breakthrough at Melbourne Park 2 minutes into the second half and Anthony Cook doubled their advantage 4 minutes later.
Stephen Reed pulled one back for the visitors on 69 minutes, but an equaliser rarely looked likely.
Braintree gained a good 4-2 win at Twerton Park against fellow contenders Bath – surviving a late comeback to triumph.
George Purcell put the Iron in front after 16 minutes and then two goals in 4 minutes just before half time from Sean Marks surely made the game safe for the visitors.
However, Dave Gilroy on 74 minutes and Chris Holland 5 minutes later reduced the arrears to just one. But it was the Iron who netted the all-important next goal through much-travelled striker Bertie Brayley in stoppage time.
Dover left it late before securing their victory over Bromley at Crabble.
The visitors had defended well for most of the game, but 3 minutes into injury-time they allowed Sammy Moore too much space and he netted the only goal of the game, much to the joy of the majority in the 1,027 crowd.
Staines went down to defeat at Westleigh Park by the same scoreline and almost as late against Havant & Waterlooville, whose sub Alban Jusufi scored in the 89th minute.
Welling pulled level on points with Bath after beating Maidenhead United 3-1 at Park View Road in a game where the kick-off was delayed due to the late arrival of the referee!
Kieran Knight put the visitors in front after 12 minutes and then Dean Cracknell equalised right on half time.
The Magpies then had Nev Saroya sent-off 10 minutes into the second half and Cracknell went on to complete his hat trick with goals in the 82nd and 84th minutes – the last from the spot.
St Albans City slipped up in their challenge for a top five spot after a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Worcester City`s St George`s Lane, and Eastleigh`s inconsistency looks like costing them as they went down to a heavy 4-1 defeat to another side in need of the points at the bottom end, Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Craig Dundas gave the Beavers the lead after less than 8 minutes and then Ashley Quashie doubled that from the spot after 25 minutes but Richard Butler pulled one back for the Spitfires 5 minutes before the break.
Stuart Lake increased the home side`s lead after 72 minutes and 2 minutes later it was game over when David Tarpey made it 4-1.
Lewes continue to battle for survival and their goalless draw at Bishop`s Stortford certainly mean the Blues are well in the fight as well, while Weston-super-Mare, like Weymouth, are looking in grave strife now after a 4-2 defeat at the Jewson Stadium against Dorchester Town.
Ryan Moss put the Magpies in front on 29 minutes and Matty Groves doubled their advantage 6 minutes later.
Josh Klein-Davies pulled the Seagulls back into the game a minute before the break only for a Ryan Ford own goal after 52 minutes to make it 3-1 for the hosts, and despite Clayton Fortune reducing the arrears just past the hour-mark, Steve Devlin`s goal on 66 minutes made it game over.
Woking beat Basingstoke Town by the same scoreline at Kingfield, getting off to a great start when Craig Faulconbridge put then in front inside a minute.
Matt Warner eventually equalised on 32 minutes only for Giuseppe Sole to restore the Cards` lead right on half time.
Jahson Downes pulled `Stoke back on terms 4 minutes after the break, but Nathaniel Pinney on the hour and Sole again 11 minutes from time made it 4-2.
