National League North/South Preview

Here is a look at the key encounters within the National League North and South today…..
National League North
Salford City only require a draw against Boston United to confirm themselves as league champions. The runaway leaders come into today’s game in a rich vain of form having won their last five league games and will be confident of racing to the title in front of a home crowd.
Even if the Ammies fall to a shock defeat, they will still be crowned champions if second-placed Harrogate Town lose at Bradford PA. Harrogate’s three game winning run came to an end in midweek as Simon Weaver’s side lost out to Boston United.
The race for the final two play-off positions continues to hot up with 6th-placed Chorley 7th-placed Spenymoor facing potentially tricky trips to Tamworth and Curzon Ashton respectively. Both Tamworth and Curzon are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, with Andy Morrell’s side facing the prospect of relegation if results do not go in their favor. John Flanagan’s Curzon side are now three points above the drop zone after credible draws with Leamington and Nuneaton over the past week but will still be nervously looking over their shoulders.
Under fire York boss Martin Gray will be desperate for a victory with his side facing fifteenth place Leamington at Bootham Crescent. The Minstermen have lost their last four league games and have slipped two points behind the pace in the race for the play-offs.
10th-placed Blyth Spartans overturned a miserable run of seven straight defeats with victory over Southport on Saturday, The result left Alun Armstrong’s side four points off the play-off positions and Blyth will need a repeat performance against Stockport County today if they are to keep alive their faint hopes of making it to the end of season promotion lottery.
Gainsborough Trinity have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop after securing vital wins over York and basement club North Ferriby.  Dominic Roma’s side are still three points adrift of safety but know that a victory at AFC Telford today could drag the Buks back into the relegation scrap. 18th-placed Alfreton, who face FC United of Manchester at North Street, are also too close to the drop zone for comfort.
National League South  
League leaders Dartford won their seventh game on the spin at East Thurrock on Tueday to give themselves a three point cushion at the top of the table. Tony Burman’s side will be looking to extend their lead when they face mid table Bath City at Princes Park on Saturday.
The title race in the National League South looks likely to go down to the wire however with Havant & Waterlooville hot on Dartford’s tails. The Hawks hold a crucial game in hand over Dartford but will need to overcome a tricky trip to third-placed Chelmsford if they are to secure a third straight victory.
Braintree cruised to a fourth win in their last five league games with a thrilling 4-3 victory over already relegated Whitehawk. Despite their recent impressive form, the Iron are still three points adrift of Truro City in the race for the final play-off position. It therefore promises to be an enthralling encounter when the two sides come up against each other at Treyew Road today.
20th-placed Poole Town face the prospect of having relegation confirmed today if they loose at Concord Rangers and Hungerford win at home to Whitehawk. However, Tommy Killick’s side will still believe that survival is possible as five points separate the two relegation threatened sides with three games left to play.