The National League Season Review Part Four: November

Leyton Orient found a pathway to the top - and they liked the view.

November saw them take ten points from a possible 12 thanks to good wins over AFC Fylde and Bromley - and a very impressive one away to Wrexham.

Justin Edinburgh earned the Manager of the Month, and a year after taking the job it was becoming clearer the club were a force again.

The first week of the month saw two new appointments. Ben Strevens filled the Eastleigh vacancy as Hakan Hayrettin tried to save Braintree’s bacon.

There was a shock at Ebbsfleet as Daryl McMahon paid the price for his team’s slow start.

Garry Hill was quickly given the job - the club were four points off the relegation places after ending last year in the play-offs.

There was a big decision made at Hartlepool as well. Matthew Bates left his role after failing to push the club on - and the departure of National League champion John Askey at Shrewsbury set alarm bells ringing in north Wales.

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National League North:

Altrincham were starting to adjust to life in their new surroundings with back-to-back promotions now being suggested after Phil Parkinson masterminded Alty’s run into the top seven.

Southport looked a different team in November as Liam Watson finally found the winning formula with dramatic wins over Kidderminster Harriers, Hereford and Boston United.

It was all change at Nuneaton Borough with the club announcing new owners and a change at the helm when Nicky Eaden stepped aside for Lee Fowler.

Back-to-back wins for Blyth Spartans saw them begin to climb to table after a disastrous start to their campaign.

Long-serving Curzon Ashton boss John Flanagan was another shock departure, leaving the club despite sitting mid-table. Mark Bradshaw was drafted in as his replacement.

Bradford (Park Avenue) leapfrogged Chorley into pole position with a point at Curzon Ashton as the Avenue took advantage of the Magpies’ FA Cup run.

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National League South:

It was becoming too close to call at the top of the National League South.

After last year’s title race between Havant and Dartford went to almost the last kick, could we have another classic campaign on our hands?

At the end of November just five points separated the top eight sides - already it looked like every win was crucial.

Woking had a two-point cushion but it was anything but as the leadership changed hands most weeks.

Billericay had another decent month and Torquay were now up to fourth and were getting better with every game.

The team of the month, though, could be found at the other end of the table.

Truro City were finding their feet and had a new manager to thank for that.

Leigh Robinson was starting to turn things around but there was even better news to come.

Truro would be back playing at Treyew Road soon after spending the start of the season many miles away in Torquay.