National League North round-up: Southport hit for six, while Harrogate knocked off top spot

By Josh Wilde
National League North fans were treated to a spectacle yesterday evening with an average of over 3.5 goals per game.
Stockport County emerged as the night’s big winners, hitting six past Southport without reply to move into a play-off place.
Matty Warburton scored inside two minutes, before dispatching his second from the penalty spot after Southport’s Adam Dugdale was shown a straight red card.
Harry Winter, Jimmy Ball and a Jason Oswell brace ensured an impressive victory for the Hatters and gave them the league’s biggest winning margin of the season.
Elsewhere, Salford City moved to within a point of the division’s summit as they beat Harrogate Town 2-1 at Wetherby Road.
Michael Phenix put the Ammies ahead, but Joe Leesley pulled Harrogate level just after half-time, slotting home from 12 yards after Richie Allen was penalised for handball.
Salford won it with 13 minutes left as Lois Maynard headed home Ibou Touray’s corner and ended Harrogate’s unbeaten league run.
York City won for the first time in four games as they triumphed 4-2 against Spennymoor Town.
The Minstermen went into a commanding first-half lead as Jon Parkin converted twice from the spot, before Louis Almond netted the third in open play.
Joseph Tait pulled one back for Spennymoor as he dispatched a penalty just past the hour mark, before Mark Anderson’s goal threatened to turn the game on its head.
However, Kaine Felix’s goal two minutes into added time secured the three points for York who move up to eighth.
Chorley pulled off an upset as they beat Darlington 4-1. Two goals from Jason Walker, along with solo efforts from Matt Challoner and Nick Haughton, saw the Magpies claim an impressive victory. Harvey Saunders consolation goal was the away side’s only bright point.
A brace from Danny Maguire saw Blyth Spartans overcome FC United of Manchester 3-1 at Croft Park. Sean Reid also scored for the Green Army, with Jason Gilchrist netting for FC United.
Curzon Ashton scored in the 89th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw against Kidderminster Harriers. Ryan Croasdale put the Harriers ahead just before the break, before Matthew Regan levelled.
Kidderminster went in front again through Joe Ironside but Niall Cummins kept his cool late on to get the Nash a point.
Alfreton won the battle in a five-goal thriller at Leamington with Tom Platt powering home the decisive goal, and Bradford Park Avenue comfortably beat Gainsborough Trinity 3-0 – Oli Johnson, Adam Boyes and Wayne Brooksby getting their names on the scoresheet.
Anthony Dwyer and a Nuneaton own goal saw AFC Telford win 2-0 against Tommy Wright’s side.
Boston United overcame bottom side North Ferriby United 2-1 to move up a place to 16th, while Brackley Town and Tamworth played out the league’s only goalless draw.