Opportunity Knocks For Hopefuls With FA Cup Distractions

As Chesterfield, Aldershot Town and Eastleigh fly the flag, opportunity knocks for the other teams challenging promotion.

Bromley will once again close the gap on the leaders if they can negotiate a tricky trip to Maidenhead United. They had no problem in the September sun in front of the TNT Sports cameras and haven’t lost on the road since early October.

Barnet are back in form again after three good festive wins gave everyone something to think about - Altrincham haven’t won in three but have taken nine points from 12 at home.

Lennie Lawrence takes caretaker charge of Hartlepool United as Oxford City visit and the club are winless in six and in need of a boost. He steps in after John Askey’s sacking and falled for a pride-filled performance.

Kidderminster Harriers fans fear a double-figure gap appearing and Russ Penn can’t let that happen so their trip to injury-hit Rochdale is an important one.

If Southend United want to play a part in the play-off chase they need to start stringing wins together. FC Halifax Town and clinging onto the final promotion place and head to Roots Hall after two away wins on the spin.

Oldham Athletic are catching up on the sides inside the top seven - Micky Mellon’s team want to make it a hat-trick of victories when they go to Dorking Wanderers who now have a four point cushion over the sides in the bottom four.

Woking sit below, they head to Solihull Moors who were hit by a Chesterfield sucker punch on New Year’s Day. Ebbsfleet United need to get over their thrashing at Bromley and fast - they welcome Wealdstone, who haven’t played since Boxing Day.