National League North: Complete Weekend Preview

Chester’s advantage is wafer thin and now only goal difference keeps the club top of the pile.

After back-to-back draws, the leaders could have done without a demanding trip to Chorley this weekend. Andy Preece’s Magpies are fifth and have won their last four home matches - in this unpredictable division they are very much still in the title race.

Brackley Town came unstuck against them 4-1 last month but haven’t looked back since.

It’s 12 points from a possible 12 and they’re now level on points with Chester, a home game with Alfreton Town is up next for Gavin Cowan’s Saints, pictured.

It’s win-draw, win-draw, win-draw right now for Scunthorpe United and their failure to follow up victories has cost them top spot. They did secure a late point at Buxton last time out, and won’t have an easy afternoon against a Leamington side who don’t care for reputation.

It’s rare that Hereford drop points lately but they did last weekend. Their title chances will be enhanced if they win at Edgar Street against Steve Watson’s Darlington.

Kidderminster Harriers can’t be ruled out and they’ve shown this season that they can string winning runs together. Scarborough Athletic visit with King's Lynn Town, a point behind them, up at Southport.

Curzon Ashton are just outside the top seven but they will be aware opponents Radcliffe are finding form.

Oxford City know how to stunt promotion chasers at home and want to add play-off chasing Buxton to that list on Saturday.

At the wrong end, two of the bottom four meet with both badly needing three points. Warrington Town face Rushall Olympic with the struggling sides lodged on 27 points - eight shy of safety.

Elsewhere, Spennymoor play Peterborough Sports, Farsley Celtic need to beat South Shields and Needham Market host Marine looking to draw them to within touching distance of the bottom four again.

National League North fixtures:
Brackley Town v Alfreton Town
Chorley v Chester
Farsley Celtic v South Shields
Hereford v Darlington
Kidderminster H v Scarborough Ath
Needham Market v Marine
Oxford City v Buxton
Radcliffe v Curzon Ashton
Scunthorpe United v Leamington
Southport v King's Lynn Town
Spennymoor v Peterborough Sports
Warrington Town v Rushall Olympic