By Matt Bishop
After Shaw Lane went clear at the top of the the Evo-Stik Premier last night, the chasing pack can put the pressure back on Craig Elliott's men during what promises to be an exciting evening of action.
Goals either side of half-time, from Paul Clayton and Alexander Byrne, handed Shaw Lane a comfortable win over Buxton, but Warrington Town can go back level on points with the Ducks if they win on the road at Ashton United.
After Warrington edged past Whitby Town on Saturday, Shaun Reid's side will be hopeful of extending their good form, but Ashton are ninth, and have their own promotion aspirations – especially after their thumping 5-2 win over Mickleover Sports.
Below Warrington in third are Altrincham, who have won their last five games, and they travel to Whitby Town tonight, fresh from Saturday's big 4-0 win over Rushall Olympic, who sacked Wayne Thomas as a result.
Despite their awful start to the season, managerless Rushall are only points off safety and will be hoping for their fourth win of the season when they host promotion chasers Barwell – who are seventh – at Dales Lane tonight.
Marine are another side who will want to give themselves a boost in their battle at the bottom, but they face fellow strugglers Stalybridge Celtic in what could prove to be a huge game towards the wrong end of the table.
Despite taking the lead at Barwell on Saturday, Kevin Lynch's side still lost 2-1, while Celtic will have a lot of confidence heading into tonight's clash, following their excellent 4-1 victory over Matlock Town.
Halesowen are a point below Marine, and just a point off rock-bottom, as they prepare to welcome Hednesford Town to The Grove, hoping to earn their second home win of the season.
The teams in seventeenth and eighteenth also face off tonight, in another early six-pointer, as Stafford Rangers and Mickleover Sports hope to put breathing space between themselves and the fellow strugglers.
In mid-table Coalville Town play Grantham Town, but in such a tight division, a win could catapult either club right into the play-off picture, while Workington will want to keep their place in the top-five with a win at Witton Albion.

Evo-Stik North

There is just one game in the Evo-Stik North tonight, and it is a big battle at both ends of the table as struggling Colne host Bamber Bridge.
Nigel Coates' men were held to a frustrating draw on Saturday afternoon, after Trafford pegged them back to draw 1-1, so they will be desperate for just their second win of the season against a Bamber Bridge side who could go top.

Evo-Stik South

The only game in the Evo-Stik South tonight involves two sides struggling at the wrong end of the division, as Carlton Town travel to Peterborough Sports.
After only drawing against Gresley on Saturday, seventeenth placed Peterborough will want to put more breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone. Carlton could give themselves a boost, and leapfrog their opponents, with a win.