Midweek action: National League North round-up

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

By Matt Bishop

Brackley Town continued their blistering start to the National League North campaign last night to make it four wins from four with a slender victory at Nuneaton Town.

The hosts looked in confident mood and started brightly, but were pegged back by the early pacesetters as Ellis Myles let fly from range in the eleventh minute to score the only goal of the game.

They’ve only played three times so far, but newly-promoted Spennymoor Town also sustained their 100 per cent start as they swept Bradford PA aside to claim a comfortable 3-0 win away from home.

In the blink of an eye, The Moors’ Glen Taylor notched a brilliant brace and Andy Johnson added a third, with all three goals coming within four minutes just before half-time, to continue a dream start for Jason Ainsley’s men.

Harrogate Town are also yet to taste defeat. After consecutive victories to start the season, Town were held to a 2-2 draw with Stockport on Saturday, but bounced back to claim all three points at home to Chorley last night.

A double from Simon Ainge got last season’s play-off finalist off to a swift start, and despite Chorley’s Marcus Carver halving the deficit, Jordan Thewlis’ fine solo-goal and late tap-in sealed his side a third victory of the season.

Just behind Harrogate lie Darlington FC, who saw their perfect start come to an end after a battling draw with fellow promotion hopefuls York City. Despite the stalemate, Darlo remain unbeaten and are comfortably nestled inside the top four as the season starts to gather momentum, while York are seventh.

Southport‘s 100 per cent record was ended, too, after they were forced to settle for a thrilling 3-3 draw with FC United of Manchester – the first point Karl Marginson’s side have claimed this season.

Although they would have wanted to continue their winning streak, Port can take positives from the way in which they came back from being 3-1 down. Jack Sampson’s late equaliser could be a vital goal come the end of the season.

Title-favourites Salford City made it three wins in a row, after their opening day defeat, by claiming their first ever win over local rivals Stockport County. Anthony Dudley’s 26th minute goal proved to be a memorable winner.

Just outside the top-seven are Kidderminster Harriers, who overcame a stubborn Leamington side to win 1-0, and Blyth Spartans, who secured a second successive win of the season by impressively beating Gainsborough 4-2.

Tamworth bounced back from a weekend defeat to overcome Boston United 2-1, with The Lambs’ Darryl Knights scoring a stunning winner after Boston saw Jack Cowgill sent off.

Alfreton also responded from a disappointing weekend reverse to beat North Ferriby United 1-0, as The Villagers still desperately search for their first point of the season and remain rock-bottom of the division.

Tuesday night’s results in full:

Alfreton Town 1-0 North Ferriby United

Brackley Town 1-0 Nuneaton Town

Gainsborough Trinity 2-4 Blyth Spartans

Harrogate Town 4-1 Chorley

Kidderminster Harriers 2-0 Leamington

Salford City 2-1 Stockport County

Southport 3-3 FC United of Manchester

Spennymoor Town 3-0 Bradford Park Avenue

Tamworth 2-1 Boston United

York City 0-0 Darlington