Five Things You May Have Missed In The National League

But of course, it isn’t all about championships at this stage of the season. We’ve got play-off races and relegation tussles to contend with, too!

It’s impossible to keep your eyes on all of the action so we’ve picked out five things you may have missed…

Macclesfield Town defy the odds to win promotion

Hardly anybody would have tipped the Silkmen in pre-season - even their most die-hard of supporters! But John Askey has worked wonders at the Moss Rose. He’s compiled a strong squad on a shoestring and managed to harness a powerful team spirit amongst the group. Their 2-0 win at Eastleigh on Saturday secured the National League title and promotion back to the Football League after a six-year stay with us.

And the National League North title goes to Salford City

Salford City will never be everybody’s cup of tea but it’s hard to argue against the accomplishments of managerial duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley. Money doesn’t guarantee success and the Ammies have had to work extremely hard. They’ve been pushed by Harrogate Town and Brackley Town but held their nerve when it mattered most. They may have lost on Saturday but Harrogate’s defeat meant Salford couldn’t be caught. How will they get on in Non-League’s top-flight?

The final day of the season will decide the destination of the South title

It’s been an enthralling title race since day one and it will be the same until 5pm on Saturday. There were plenty of clubs in with a shout at one stage but now just two remain - Dartford and Havant & Waterlooville. Both clubs won again on Saturday meaning Havant remain three points adrift. They have two games left whilst Dartford have just one. If Havant beat East Thurrock on Wednesday, the two sides will go into the final day level on points and, possibly, with the same goal difference!

The play-off pictures are far from clear!

Only Tranmere Rovers and Sutton United are confirmed for the National League play-offs and there could still be plenty of movement with Ebbsfleet and Bromley hoping to win their game in hand and creep into the top seven. Things are a bit simpler in the National League North with only two spots left to fill whilst in the National League South, only Truro City and, at a push Welling United, can climb into the top seven from the fringes.

There are only two relegation places left across our three divisions

Unfortunately, Saturday’s results spelt the end for Gainsborough Trinity and Tamworth in National League North, thus confirming the three relegated teams. It was also the end of the road for Torquay United in the National League but Woking live to fight another day after their win at Guiseley. Due to goal difference, it looks like a straight battle between Woking and Barrow for the fourth and final spot. Poole Town have also given themselves a lifeline in the National League South but things are still out of their hands as they look to catch Hungerford Town or Concord Rangers.

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