Saturday's Round-Up: Vanarama National League North

And all three were involved in crucial encounters.

Salford City hold a three-point advantage at the summit after edging out battling relegation-threatened Gainsborough Trinity at the Peninsula Stadium.

In front of a crowd of 962, the Ammies finally managed to break down Lee Sinnott`s side 2 minutes into first half injury-time when Liam Hogan`s knockdown is fired home by Carl Piergianni.

It wasn`t one of Salford`s better performances, but at this time of the season it`s all about results, and defeat for Trinity leaves them three points from the safety-mark.

Second-placed Harrogate Town completed the league `double` over local rivals and play-off contenders York City with a 2-0 victory at Bootham Crescent.

In front of a crowd of 3,564, the first half saw very few chances for either side.

But just 6 minutes into the second period, Jake Wright fired into the bottom left corner to give Harrogate the lead.

Sub Mark Beck, who had replaced Wright, headed Joe Leesley's free-kick past Adam Bartlett to seal the points in the 67th minute.

Buildbase FA Trophy finalists Brackley Town kept Curzon Ashton in relegation trouble after beating them 2-0 at the Tameside Stadium.

Teams facing Kevin Wilkin`s side could be forgiven for thinking they`d have their minds on their first-ever Wembley visit.

But with two games in hand on the top two, the Saints still have an outside chance of taking the title and will certainly not take their foot off the gas.

Shepherd Murombedzi opened the scoring after 12 minutes and then Adam Walker ensured the points went back to Northamptonshire with a second on the hour-mark.

Defeat leaves The Nash level on points with third-bottom AFC Telford United.

Kidderminster Harriers are fourth after a fine 2-1 win at Croft Park against another top seven contender, Blyth Spartans.

Ryan Croasdale broke the deadlock to give Harriers a 64th minute lead.

And then Manny Sonupé hit a superb strike to put Harriers in firm command in the 71st minute.

Sean Reid did pull one back on 87 minutes for the hosts, who now trail the top seven by five points.

Stockport County are a point behind Kidderminster in fifth after winning 3-1 at already-relegated North Ferriby United.

A relaxed Ferriby could be a dangerous side to play, but Jason Oswell eased any nerves County had by giving them an early 8th mkinute lead.

Matty Warburton doubled that lead half-an-hour later, with Lewis Collins reducing the deficit just before the break.

A second for Warburton 13 minutes from time though settled the points.

Spennymoor Town, whose backlog of fixtures is threatening their top seven spot after successive defeats, got back to winning ways after a 4-1 success at the Impact Arena against an Alfreton Town side who are only a couple of points above the relegation zone and have played more matches than most below them.

It was a memorable day for Moors` striker Glen Taylor, who helped himself to a hat-trick after Nathan Lowe had put the visitors in front after 35 minutes.

Taylor netted his first right on half-time, then, after Nyal Bell had pulled one back for the Reds just past the hour-mark, made it 3-1 in the 78th minute before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time.

The win lifted Jason Ainsley`s side back up to sixth, level on points with York with still games in hand on most around them.

Chorley boosted their top seven hopes by increasing AFC Telford United`s relegation fears after a 2-1 win at the New Bucks Head.

Alex Newby broke the deadlock to put the Magpies in front after 68 minutes and then Marcus Carver doubled the visitors` lead 10 minutes from time.

Alex`s twin brother Elliot scored a penalty for the Bucks 4 minutes from time, but they weren`t able to find a leveller and Rob Edwards' side are twentieth in the table, adrift on goal difference, with six games to go.

Tamworth are also in deep trouble after going down to a 2-0 defeat at The Lamb to an FC United of Manchester side who were also in need of the points to move away from the drop zone.

A nervy encounter had little goalmouth action.

But it burst into life in the final 7 or so minutes.

FC United`s Matty Hughes was sent-off in the 83rd minute for a second bookable offence.

But instead of that having an adverse effect on the visitors, it was they who broke the deadlock 2 minutes later with a goal Lambs` keeper Jack Stevens won`t want to see again as he allowed Craig Lindfield`s shot to go under him and into the back of the net.

And FC United added a second in stoppage time through Ged Garner and moved six points clear of the relegation area with a first away league win since August.

Defeat, however, leaves Tamworth only a point above Telford.

Leamington are another side still looking over their shoulder at the drop zone after losing 1-0 at the Horsfall Stadium to Bradford Park Avenue.

The Brakes conceded a goal inside the opening minute when Adam Boyes scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

The Brakes are just three points above the bottom three and the remainder of the campaign is going to see plenty of twists and turns as only seven points separate third-bottom AFC Telford from eleventh-placed Boston United.

And that after the Pilgrims won 2-1 at Blackwell Meadows against another side in that group, Darlington.

The visitors went 2-0 up with goals from Reece Thompson after 35 minutes and Ashley Hemmings just 4 minutes later.

Reece Styche pulled one back seconds before the break, but that was as good as it got for a Quakers side for whom this was only their second defeat in a dozen games.

Southport and Nuneaton Town are also in that batch of clubs and Boro moved above Kevin Davies` side after a 1-0 win at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

Port`s third successive defeat after an excellent run had taken them well clear of the relegation area came when Daniel Nti scored the only goal after 26 minutes.

(Photo: Harrogate Town FC)