Salford City hit top spot as National League North titles race hots up

By Matt Bishop
Salford City are the National League North‘s new leaders after they ground out a hard-earned 1-0 win at struggling Boston United.
Anthony Dudley scored the only goal of the game, after 30 minutes, as the Ammies leapfrogged Harrogate Town to hit top-spot.
Despite their lowly league position, Boston battled hard and had their chances in a gritty game, and Salford’s Bernard Morley was delighted to leave Jakemans Stadium with three points.
The joint-boss said: “Let’s make no bones about it, Boston made it realty difficult for us from start to finish.
“They hit us head on from the first minute to the 96th minute. Fair play to our lads, it’s been a long day but we got a goal at a really important time.
“Boston made a statement that second bottom in the league, they’re not going to make it easy for us. Like I said, they hit us head on and made it really difficult. We regrouped, finished strong in the first half, got the goal at the right time and it was just a case of keeping a clean sheet second half.”
Last night’s three points on the road sent Salford top for the first time this season, and like Morley, Carl Piergianni was happy to leave Boston with maximum points as their march to the National League gathers pace.
The central defender said: “I think where Boston are in the league table doesn’t do them justice.
“The boys dug in really well, and it probably wasn’t the best we’ve played, but its important when we don’t play well to get those 1-0 wins and to get us to the top of the table is exactly what we want.
“It’s the first time the league’s been in our hands. It’s still early days, we cant get ahead of ourselves, but we’re absolutely delighted to be top of the league and now we can really concentrate, keep winning and stay there.”
Elsewhere in the National League North, play-off chasing pair Chorley and Tamworth drew 1-1 to put some breathing space between them and the chasing pack.
Tamworth, who ended a run of three straight defeats by beating York City in a 3-2 thriller on Saturday, had their eyes on another three points away from home last night as Darryl Knights handed them the lead just after half-time.
However, Chorley, who suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Spennymoor at the weekend, were in no mood to lose again and earned a point thanks to Joshua O’Keefe’s leveller.