The National League Season Review Part Seven: February

Wrexham fans know nothing is ever simple.

They started February looking for another new manager after Graham Barrow said the job wasn’t for him after all.

Bryan Hughes took over - and the club ended the month on top of the table!

Ten points from a possible 12 with wins over Dagenham, Havant - pictured - and Boreham Wood had Dragon fans dreaming on a perfect end to a strange season.

Solihull stormed up to second and were really starting to put the heat on the bigger boys.
John Still quickly realised the size of what he and Hakan Hayrettin had taken on at Maidstone United as they just couldn’t win.

Aldershot supporters were getting concerned. Their winless run went on in February and there was no sign things were going to get any better.

Salford’s started to drop points they shouldn’t again - losing at home to Dover, who were making moves and jumped out of the bottom four for the first time.

Danny Searle stepped up at Braintree and although he couldn’t save them, he picked things as they stunned Salford for a second time this season.

National League North:

Brackley Town were quietly going under the radar once again as Kevin Wilkin inconspicuously built another promotion push. Wins against Alfreton Town and Bradford (Park Avenue) added weight to their ambitions.

Guiseley were struggling after the drop from the National League and incredibly had drawn half of their games played so far this season.

The Lions showed their teeth, scoring four goals at home to Boston United – only for their visitors to hit them for five.

Stockport County seemed to be pulling wins from anywhere, but Chorley laboured to a point at Darlington before a 2-0 win over Nuneaton kept them top for another day.

Steve Watson looked to have found the right formula at York City after taking more points than anyone else in the month. With a seven-point gap from the play-offs, it remained to be seen if it was too little, too late for the Minstermen.

National League South:

Weston-super-Mare were staring into oblivion and found themselves ten points adrift of safety after defeats to Woking and Chippenham.

Bad form lead to Jamie Howell being relieved of his duties at Eastbourne Borough with Mark McGhee drafted in to save their season – defeat to Billericay was the final straw for the Sports board.

That victory was one of three for Harry Wheeler as his rebuild gathered pace in Essex and although the title race was looking out of reach, finishing the month third in the division must’ve delighted fans.

Gloucester City were finding their teeth once again as Mike Cook pulled the Tigers four clear of the danger-zone after wins over Slough Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough.

It was Torquay United who took February in the title race, ending the month a point ahead in what was looking like a two-horse race with Woking.