Big Games Galore! Tonight' National League Preview

Fast-paced football under the lights, well not a lot beats it. But with most matches still having an impact on the National League table, this special season continues to steal focus.

Just when you thought it was going to be a little more easy going after the weekend’s 1st v 2nd and 3rd v 4th match ups, reality hits.

Because of the results on Saturday, the new top two are going at it tonight. Tranmere Rovers - the league’s form side - against Macclesfield, who answered many people’s questions at Aldershot Town on Saturday with a fine win the stretch their advantage at the top to four points.

They can take a huge step towards the championship with victory at Prenton Park this evening.

The Shots themselves have some folk to satisfy. At home to Bromley, Gary Waddock knows it’s crucial to recover from that defeat right away but beating a side who have scored more goals that they have - and more than everyone expect AFC Fylde - will take everything they can muster.

Sutton United grabbed a plucky point against Wrexham and now head to Torquay with the Gulls manager Gary Owers saying they “probably have to beat” the title chasers to keep their survival chances going.

The Red Dragons of Wrexham can’t afford any more draws. Captain Shaun Pearson says they can still win the league but only if start winning more often - a trip to a much improved Solihull Moors will provide clues to Wrexham’s title tilt even though they are ten unbeaten.

Barrow can’t rest easy, despite an impressive win at Maidstone United on Saturday. They are still in trouble and need to sort their home form out. No victory at Holker Street since November - Ady Pennock’s first game at the helm - has to be put right against Gateshead on Tuesday.

Maidstone know it may not be long until they have to start looking over their shoulders.

Their collapse in recent months has seen their fans concerned and won’t like the fixture list - they travel to Boreham Wood who are playing “very well” according to manager Luke Garrard.

There’s a huge game just outside the bottom four. FC Halifax and Hartlepool are still not safe and meet at the Shay knowing the winner can rest that little bit easier. Halifax’s stand in manager Neil Young knows this match could impact on his chances of getting the job full-time.

Chester could start to sense survival if they beat Leyton Orient, who not only won away at AFC Fylde on Saturday but stopped the league’s top scorers finding the net.

Dagenham’s issues were put to one side with a thumping 3-0 win at Torquay and the league’s two wily bosses meet as John Still takes his Daggers to Dover’s Crabble - Chris Kinnear’s Whites are just a point outside the play-off places but need momentum.

Guiseley will agree that it’s now or never if they are to escape the drop and AFC Fylde at home offers them the chance to start a good run.

Ebbsfleet United know a third straight win and they are back in the hunt for the promotion places - they will be big favourites to beat poor travellers Woking.

Maidenhead midfielder Harry Pritchard has four goals in three games and he is looking to add to his tally against an Eastleigh side still smarting from their bad day at the office up at Chester.

National League fixture list:
Aldershot v Bromley
Barrow v Gateshead
Boreham Wood v Maidstone
Chester v Leyton Orient
Dover Athletic v Dagenham
Ebbsfleet v Woking
FC Halifax v Hartlepool United
Guiseley v AFC Fylde
Maidenhead v Eastleigh
Solihull Moors v Wrexham
Torquay United v Sutton United
Tranmere Rovers v Macclesfield Town