It`s advantage Southport going into the last week of the Blue Square North season, with the Haig Avenue outfit holding a one-point lead over neighbours Fleetwood Town with a game in hand.
Port have three games left to play after Saturday`s 4-1 home win over Hyde United in which Ciaran Kilheeney gave them the boost of an early 2nd minute lead.
Earl Davis added number two after 13 minutes and right on half time Matty McGinn`s penalty conversion virtually made it game over.
Paul Barrett made it 4-0 with just 5 minutes of the second half gone, with David Mcniven`s spot-kick reply a couple of minute later all that the Tigers could muster in reply.
Fleetwood will now hope either Alfreton Town or Eastwood Town can do them a favour next week when they take on the leaders. But at least they did their bit on Saturday by winning 3-2 at Croft Park against Blyth Spartans.
Paul Brayson gave the home side a 9th minute lead that Adam Warlow cancelled out 7 minutes later.
Warlow again after 58 minutes then gave the visitors the lead only for Brayson to level things again less than 2 minutes later.
However, Gareth Seddon`s goal on the hour-mark won it for the Fylde coast outfit.
The play-off situation sees Alfreton already assured of their place – and they shared an uninspiring goalless draw at Ilkeston Town on Saturday – as now are Workington after their 2-1 win at Damson Park against Solihull Moors where Matt Gardner gave the home side a 53rd minute lead that Phil McLuckie equalised 8 minutes later and Dan Shannon won it for the Reds 4 minutes from time.
Fleetwood`s appeal against Farsley Celtic`s points` deductions could have a huge affect on what happens still, but as it stands Hinckley United currently hold fifth place by a point from Droylsden – both having one game left – but Corby Town are suddenly back in the mix after winning 4-2 at the New Bucks Head against inconsistent AFC Telford United.
Andy Brown gave the Bucks a 7th minute lead that Leon Mettam cancelled out from the spot after 25 minutes.
Brown again restored the hosts` lead just before the break, only for Steve Diggin to pull the Steelmen back on terms 7 minutes after the break.
Mettam again on 68 minutes and Diggin`s second in injury-time secured the visitors` success that leaves them still with a lot to do, trailing Hinckley by five points but they have two games left.
Hinckley beat already doomed Harrogate Town by the odd goal in five at home with Matt West giving the Knitters a 5th minute lead and Richard Lavery adding to that 11 minutes later.
Lee Ellington pulled Town back into the game 8 minutes before the break, but Danny Newton restored Hinckley`s two goal advantage that David Syers cut with 10 minutes remaining.
Unless Fleetwood`s appeal is upheld, Vauxhall Motors will join Harrogate in the UniBond League next season.
They needed to beat fellow contenders Redditch United at the Valley Stadium on Saturday and then hope the Reds lost their final game and Motors win theirs.
A draw spoiled all that, however, with Joe Clarke giving the home side the lead right on the stroke of half time and Karl Noon equalising on 56 minutes.
Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic were down to ten-men after less than a minute at Bower Fold against Eastwood Town when Barrie Keeling was shown a straight red card.
However, they held on to win, thanks to Matty O`Neill`s 78th minute effort.
Stafford Rangers left it even later to beat Gainsborough Trinity at Marston Road.
Luke Beckett`s 11th minute goal had given Trinity a lead they held until 7 minutes from time when Nick Wellecomme equalised and then Levi Reid won it for Rangers 4 minutes later.
And Wayne Riley`s winner for Northwich Victoria at home to Gloucester City came even later – 2 minutes from time to be exact.
