The National League Season Review Part Eight: March

Leyton Orient held a one-point lead going into the final month as we quickly realised this would be the tightest title race in many years.

A Marvin Ekpiteta goal handed them a crucial three points in the first v second game with Wrexham.

The Londoners didn’t let FA Trophy distractions turn heads. They won five games in March and two in the Trophy as Justin Edinburgh won Manager of the Month.

Eastleigh were looking good for the play-offs but Garry Hill’s Ebbsfleet were refusing to give up the ghost despite off-field issues.

Things were looking bleak for the bottom four even with four weeks left to go.

An eight-point gap between Havant & Waterloville in 21st and Dover just the other side of the dreaded dotted line.

Chesterfield’s improvement under John Sheridan was there for all to see.

They won four matches in March and pulled well clear of trouble.

National League North:

The top two were left to battle it out between themselves after Spennymoor Town seemed to wave the white flag in the title race. Jason Ainsley’s men suffered defeats to Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford to pick up just two points as the teams headed into the final month of the campaign.

The charge for a play-off place was almost as enthralling as the title race itself. Tenth placed Boston United were the lowest placed side in with a realistic shout as Brackley Town rattled would-be champions Stockport County to remind everyone of their quality.

If the play-off push looked a long way off settled, the relegation picture was beginning to look a whole lot clearer. Nuneaton Borough were clinging on for dear life but needed a miracle to survive.

While Ashton United and FC United of Manchester slumped to within six points of Guiseley who dragged themselves away from danger with a win over Curzon Ashton and a crucial draw with York City.

National League South:

In the race for survival, East Thurrock produced a fine derby-day display to down Billericay to leave boss John Coventry plotting their route to safety.

But after another poor month and relegation almost confirmed, Mark McGregor left basement boys Weston-super-Mare.

Leigh Robinson also paid the price for poor form despite Truro City sitting the right side of the dotted line – Paul Wilkinson came in to complete the job, but more problems were ahead.
A dreadful month for Billericay almost left their play-off aspirations in tatters. Jamie O’Hara issued a rally cry after taking just one point from five games.

Torquay United moved four points clear in the title race with a game to spare as Woking struggled to keep pace with the impressive Gulls on the eve of a huge showdown between the two sides.