Saturday’s Round-Up: Vanarama National League North

The Ammies took an early 6th minute lead when, after a succession of corners, Dan Livesey climbed highest to head them in front.

But the Reds levelled after 21 minutes when, from a free-kick, Salford`s defenders lost David Shiels and he headed home from a few yards out.

Parity lasted barely 4 minutes though as Jack Redshaw converted after good build-up play.

And then right on half-time, Salford made it 3-1 when Mike Phenix pulled the ball back for Gus Mafuta to fire past the home keeper.

The Ammies managed the second half well, that is until the 3rd minute of time added on at the end when Marcus Marshall nipped in at the back post and pulled one back.

Harrogate Town show no signs of going away in the title race and they came through one of their biggest tests to date with flying colours by ending Kidderminster Harriers' seventeen-game unbeaten run at Aggborough with an impressive 2-0 win.

In front of a crowd of 1,739, Joe Leesley opened the scoring after a quarter of-an-hour in emphatic fashion when his left-footed drive crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Dominic Knowles made it 2-0 with a low finish a minute after half-time.

And then an outstanding defensive display kept the division`s top scorers at home out and ensured Harrogate claimed their first win over Harriers.

Brackley Town too are still within four points of Harrogate in third after a comfortable 3-0 win at St James`s Park against still-in-trouble Darlington FC.

Lee Ndlovu gave the Saints a 13th minute lead – a lead they held until half-time.

And then two goals in 3 minutes midway through the second half from Aaron Williams and Jimmy Armson killed the Quakers` challenge off.

And their day was made even worse when they were awarded a penalty after Ellis Myles was adjudged to have fouled Greg Mills, but Terry Galbraith`s spot-kick was saved by Danny Lewis

Brackley brought on Shepherd Murombedzi as a second half sub, a late signing from Chester FC yesterday.

Blyth Spartans were the only other current top seven side to win on Saturday.

They beat fellow contenders Bradford Park Avenue 3-0 at Croft Park to leave the visitors five points adrift of the play-off places.

Dale Hopson gave the hosts a 14th minute lead that Jarratt Rivers doubled a minute before half-time.

Robbie Dale made the points safe with Spartans` third with 13 minutes remaining.

But joining Kidderminster in losing on Saturday were York City and Spennymoor Town.

York suffered a 4-1 defeat at the Tameside Stadium against mid-table Curzon Ashton and had top scorer Jon Parkin dismissed.

Nash striker Niall Cummins grabbed a first half hat-trick and also saw a 28th minute penalty saved by Adam Bartlett during an awful opening period from the visitors.

Sam Walker went on to add a fourth after the restart, before Parkin was sent-off after an alleged stamping incident on home skipper Jonathan Hunt.

The only bright note of the afternoon for York saw debutant Alex Kempster come off the bench to net a 67th minute consolation.

Spennymoor suffered a surprise home defeat to struggling Nuneaton Town, whose Ashley Chambers’ 24th minute goal proved the difference at the Brewery Field.

The frontman struck as Boro extended their unbeaten run to five matches and lifted them five points clear of the drop zone.

Those defeats allowed Chorley back into the play-off race as they won 1-0 at Victory Park against Gainsborough Trinity, watched by their new boss Lee Sinnott.

He saw an encouraging performance which ended in defeat though, thanks to a 54th minute Josh Wilson effort for the Magpies to lift them four points behind the top seven.

North Ferriby United are almost needing snookers to avoid the drop already, following a 24th defeat of the season to date in a 3-0 loss at home to a Southport outfit who are now twelfth.

In-form Jason Gilchrist`s 38th minute penalty and David Morgan`s goal on 41 minutes gave Port a two-goal cushion at the break.

And just 3 minutes into the second period, Jack Sampson added a third.

AFC Telford United are third-bottom but were dealt a blow as a last-gasp goal from Tom Shaw saw them draw 2-2 at The Lamb against Tamworth.

The Bucks twice took the lead through Amari Morgan-Smith's header after 68 minutes and Joel Kettle's own goal on 75 minutes either side of Akwasi Asante`s 73rd minute reply for the hosts.

Sub Shaw struck the equaliser deep into added time.

Boston United’s unbeaten run was ended by a Leamington side who are now four points clear of the drop zone.

Both sides had a man dismissed and the game stretched to 100 minutes with 10 minutes added on at the end.

The only goal to end the Pilgrims unbeaten run at nine games, came courtesy of Ahmed Obeng’s 53rd minute effort.

Boston had Reece Thompson dismissed in the 78th minute for two bookings, and the Brakes were down to ten less than 3 minutes later when sub Joe Magunda - who had been on the pitch less than 4 minutes - received his marching orders for a rash challenge.

Biggest crowd of the day was the 3,084 at Broadhurst Park for the derby between FC United of Manchester and Stockport County.

The only goal of the game came after 16 minutes when Darren Stephenson crossed for Matty Warburton to convert from close range – his 17th goal of the season – to keep County in with a shout of the top seven.