Something For The Weekend: National League North

Boston United's situation sums up the tightness of the division. The Pilgrims are currently 13th in the table and have 21 points left to play for.

And Craig Elliott's side are eight points off a play-off place – and eight points above the drop zone! There's still plenty to play for with few, if any, clubs having little left to fight for at either end of the table.

Some key games this weekend could see one or two clubs have a clearer picture as to where their season finishes, and here's three to keep a note of.

Darlington v Boston United

The aforementioned Boston make the journey up the A1 to Blackwell Meadows to tackle a Darlington side who are in a similar position, starting the encounter a point better off than the Pilgrims.

A good run-in for either, coupled with results going for them elsewhere, could yet see one or both challenging for a top seven spot.

Tommy Wright's hosts haven't played since March 24th, while Craig Elliott's side beat play-off chasing Kidderminster Harriers on Good Friday.

Salford City v Gainsborough Trinity

The battle for the title and automatic promotion looks like going right to the wire and Boston could hold another key here as they have both current leaders Salford City and second-placed Harrogate Town to play.

The Ammies host Boston's Lincolnshire neighbours Gainsborough Trinity at the Peninsula Stadium in a vital game for both sides. Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's side hold a three-point advantage over Harrogate and both have played 37 matches, while third-placed Brackley Town could yet have a big say in the championship race as they have two games in hand which, if they won both, would leave them just two points behind Harrogate.

Salford go into the game on an eight-game unbeaten run and having won 2-1 at home to Curzon Ashton on Good Friday. Trinity begin the game three points adrift of the safety mark – and having played two more games than the two sides immediately above them.

Lee Sinnott enjoyed his first win since taking over from Dave Frecklington when Gainsborough inflicted a 4-1 drubbing on top seven contenders Spennymoor Town last Friday. Sinnott will, however, have an eye firmly on the final two games of the season when they take on fellow strugglers AFC Telford United and Tamworth and will probably consider their trip north on Saturday as a 'free hit'.

York City v Harrogate Town

A Yorkshire derby which will probably attract the day's biggest crowd in the division at Bootham Crescent as it's a key game for both hosts York City and visiting Harrogate Town.

The Minstermen begin the game holding a five-point cushion in the play-off race (Spennymoor could go above them when they face AFC Telford this evening) and a third successive home game precedes a run of four away games in their final five matches.

Harrogate profited from possessing an artificial surface and were able to play on Easter Monday when most were inactive, celebrating by hammering another of the top seven contenders, Blyth Spartans. That did York a favour, but Simon Weaver's men will be determined that's all they'll do for their neighbours as they look to achieve the double over the Minstermen, having won 2-0 at the CNG Stadium back in September.

Saturday's Fixtures:-

AFC Telford United v Chorley
Alfreton Town v Spennymoor Town
Blyth Spartans v Kidderminster Harriers
Bradford Park Avenue v Leamington
Curzon Ashton v Brackley Town
Darlington v Boston United
North Ferriby United v Stockport County
Salford City v Gainsborough Trinity
Southport v Nuneaton Town
Tamworth v FC United of Manchester
York City v Harrogate Town