Preview: National League North

It is top V bottom in the National League North this weekend as Salford City who moved seven points clear in first place after a hard fought victory over Tamworth, saw them also top the form table with five wins in a row, they take on North Ferriby United who results wise have picked up seven points from their first 17 games and have won only once this season, writes Tom Feaheny.

Two sides in the play-off places face each other in the early kick-off at the Horsfall Stadium as Mark Bower's Bradford Park Avenue who made it back to back wins last weekend take on Kevin Wilkin's Brackley Town, five victories in a row have seen the side keep pressure on top spot as they moved up to second.

York City manager Martin Gray has spoken several times about the importance of home form and momentum so three wins in a row would do them no harm, they are currently sixth in the table, they take on John Eustace's Kidderminster Harriers who are unbeaten in their last five matches but were left disappointed after conceding late last week in their 3-3 draw.

There was late drama last weekend as Stockport County scored in the 96th minute to draw 2-2 a result that saw them move to within a point of the play-off places, they take on the side directly above them who also fought back to draw 2-2 in Chorley who are just outside seventh on goal difference alone.

The team County drew with were Boston United that result saw the side stay in the relegation zone but they now have a new manager in Craig Elliott who worked wonders at Shaw Lane AFC, he takes on a side he used to play for in second placed Harrogate Town who last weekend lost only their second game of the league season, Simon Weaver's side will hope home advantage can see them getting back to winning ways.

Both AFC Telford United and Alfreton Town have gone three and four respectively league games without a win, this has seen the two teams go down to lower mid-table, but both are just four and six points off the play-off places respectively, United lost away to FC United of Manchester while Alfreton were defeated by York City. and then FC United in mid-week.

A late draw for Darlington gave Tommy Wright encouragement, as he praised the attitude of his team, they have since brought in Luke Trotman and Greg Mills from Nuneaton Town, they are hosting Tamworth who pushed Salford City all the way, Andy Morrell's team are another side who know one positive result could see them move into the play-off places.

Two sides who are just outside the relegation zone as Gainsborough Trinity take on FC United of Manchester, Dave Frecklington's side lost for the first time in the league since the end of September, Tommy Greaves remains in caretaker charge of FCUM and he has gained three wins out of four matches in the league and also moved closer to breaking the goal scoring record at the club.

Spennymoor Town are four unbeaten in the league and have won their last three matches as well as they sit fourth in the league, they take on Leamington who narrowly lost last weekend away from home the Brakes are currently three points clear of the relegation zone so know a victory would help them moving closer to achieving their aims of staying up.

A draw for Nuneaton Town last weekend with results going against them moved them into the relegation zone, they next face Curzon Ashton who find themselves just two points off the play-off places, that ended their run of two losses beforehand.

Kevin Davies's Southport were unbeaten in the four games he has been in charge of before losing in mid-week, but they had drawn those matches so a victory would be handy for the ex Bolton striker, it won't be an easy match for his team as they host a Blyth Spartans side who are currently fifth in the table after they got back to winning ways last weekend.

18th November (3pm kick-off unless stated)
Bradford Park Avenue V Brackley Town (1:30)
AFC Telford United V Alfreton Town
Darlington V Tamworth
Gainsborough Trinity V FC United of Manchester
Harrogate Town V Boston United
Leamington V Spennymoor Town
Nuneaton Town V Curzon Ashton
Salford City V North Ferriby United
Southport V Blyth Spartans
Stockport County V Chorley
York City V Kidderminster Harriers