What Is Going On Tonight Across The National League?

Three games in the top division should provide plenty of talking points, and each one of them is significant.

Leaders Macclesfield Town look to return to the summit after sitting out Saturday. A point is enough to do it at home to Gateshead later on but this is a fixture John Askey’s side are looking for three from after Sutton United climbed above them this weekend.

The Heed will be hurting after seeing a return to Wembley snuffed out by Bromley. It’s only one National League win in five weeks for Steve Watson’s side as they look to finish as high as possible.

The side who broke their hearts on Saturday in the FA Trophy are back in the North East. Three home points for Hartlepool United will give their survival hopes a huge boost against Bromley.

Dover Athletic meanwhile know if they can come away from Eastleigh with three points to show for their evening’s work then they can put eight points between themselves and eighth place.

The top three are all in action in the National League North.

At 4-0 down with ten minutes to go at Kidderminster, Salford City would have gnawed your hand off to draw the game.

But the Ammies have dropped four points in the last two matches - and only won twice but the odd goal in their last five.

They know it’s important they beat Blyth Spartans at home tonight, while second place Harrogate Town are at home to Spennymoor.

In-touch Brackley are buoyant after reaching Wembley. They have games in hand but know they really need to get the job done tonight on home turf against inconsistent Boston United to apply some pressure.

York City are still fighting for play-off points and won’t have it all their own way against Kevin Davies’ much improved Southport, a side looking to right the wrongs of a home defeat to Alfreton last time out, a side who themselves are in action later when Kidderminster visit the Impact Arena.

In the National League South, the title chasing trio all have the night off.

But there are a number of key games in the battle to get into end of season play-offs.

It’s football for a fiver as Hemel Hempstead Town play Bath City at Vauxhall Road - and this is a big one for both, with the Romans in particular knowing their top seven task becomes a big one if they leave with nothing to show for it later on.

Weston-super-Mare are still in with a shout of finishing in the top seven following the weekend’s narrow 1-0 win over Bognor Regis.

Should the Seagulls better Braintree at the Woodspring Stadium then they could close the gap on the promotion places to three points.

Both Concord Rangers, still not safe, and East Thurrock United will know they should have taken more from winnable games at the weekend.

They have the chance to put that right when the Essex clubs come together this evening.

Tonight’s fixtures:

Vanarama National League:
Eastleigh v Dover Athletic
Hartlepool U v Bromley
Macclesfield v Gateshead

Vanarama National League North:
Alfreton v Kidderminster H
Brackley v Boston United
Harrogate v Spennymoor
Salford City v Blyth Spartans
York City v Southport

Vanarama National League South:
Concord Rangers v East Thurrock
Hemel Hempstead v Bath City
Weston-s-Mare v Braintree Town

PICTURE: GRAHAM SCAMBLER PHOTOGRAPHY