The NLP looks at a pivotal month in the National League title race

February may be a month best known for Valentine’s Day, but there will be no love lost in the quest for the National League title race as the top six prepare for the most pivotal period of the season to date.

Separated by just nine points, the main protagonists all lock horns this month in an ironic twist of fate which could go a long way in determining who lifts the coveted trophy come April 25.

Here, we take a look at the schedules from each of the top six sides as they look to steal a march on their rivals.

York City – 1st

Played: 29

Points: 65

Goal difference: +48

Feb fixtures: Feb 7: Forest Green Rovers (h), Feb 11: Hartlepool United (h), Feb 14: Wealdstone (a), Feb 21: FC Halifax Town (h), Feb 24: Scunthorpe United (a), Feb 28: Morecambe (a)

After a sticky start, which led to the departure of manager Adam Hinshelwood, it’s fair to say York City have more than met expectancy.

Led by 27-goal Ollie Pearce, the Minster men have scored 76 overall in 29 games and are currently unbeaten in 18 matches since a 3-1 defeat by Scunthorpe on October 1. They also remain unbeaten on the road all season.

It’s a run which has taken the pre-season promotion favourites into the very heart of the title race with hopes high once again of another massive points total.

Naturally, memories of last season’s heart-breaking play-off defeat still loom large at the LNER, so Stuart Maynard’s men are determined to get the job done in regulation time – and the month of February will surely be key to that.

Much will ride on six-pointers against title rivals Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe, as well as a home clash with play-off chasers FC Halifax Town, but the visit of an in-form Hartlepool and tough trips to Wealdstone and struggling Morecambe will certainly test their title credentials.

Rochdale – 2nd

Played: 26

Points: 64

Goal difference: +32

Feb fixtures: Feb 3: Boreham Wood (h), Feb 7: Carlisle United (h), Feb 11: Forest Green Rovers (h), Feb 14: Yeovil Town (a), Feb 17: Scunthorpe (h), Feb 21: Woking (h), Feb 24: FC Halifax Town (a), Feb 28: Aldershot Town (a)

Whether Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale have what it takes to go all the way in the National League title race will become a lot clearer come the end of February.

While tipped by some as an outside promotion candidate, Dale have surpassed all expectations to take their place at the top of the table as we enter month seven of the season, two points clear with two games in hand.

But February will undoubtedly test the mettle of the Spotland crew with EIGHT games in the space of 25 days featuring top-of-the-table clashes against no fewer than four title rivals.

The brand new pitch at the Crown Oil Arena will get its fair share of use this month with Dale playing host to Boreham Wood, Carlisle United and Forest Green Rovers in the space of eight days, as well as Scunthorpe United just over a week later and then Woking the following Saturday.

Long away trips to Yeovil Town and Aldershot Town complete the month but with top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe back in action after a recent injury lay-off, McNulty’s squad are fit and firing ahead of their biggest test to date.

Rochdale

Carlisle United – 3rd

Played: 29

Points: 59

Goal difference: +18

Feb fixtures: Feb 7: Rochdale (a), Feb 10: Scunthorpe United (h), Feb 14: Forest Green Rovers (a), Feb 21: Yeovil Town (h), Feb 25: Hartlepool United (a), Feb 28: Eastleigh (a)

How will Mark Hughes’ side recover from last week’s 3-0 loss to York City? The Minstermen didn’t really need to click through their own gears in the end, with the aggregate score in the two games this season 8-0, in favour of City.

Now a season that began with huge title expectations – summer signings like Regan Linney showed their intent – could swing either way.

By Valentine’s Day, the Cumbrians will have a much better idea of where they are in the promotion race. On Saturday, they make the trip to Rochdale before Scunthorpe United come to town.

It’s then a long trip to Gloucestershire for a romantic day on February 14 with Robbie Savage’s Forest Green.

On paper, their month is less intimidating than some of their rivals, with a home game against Yeovil and an away date at Eastleigh with play-off chasing Hartlepool sandwiched in between.

Carlisle United

Boreham Wood – 4th

Played: 28

Points: 56

Goal difference: +24

Feb fixtures: Feb 3: Rochdale (a), Feb 7: Woking (a), Feb 11: Yeovil Town (h), Feb 14: Eastleigh (a), Feb 21: Forest Green Rovers (h), Feb 24: Southend United (a), Feb 28: Tamworth (a)

The fact that Boreham Wood are even in the title equation at this stage of the season is of huge testimony to manager Luke Garrard and his merry men.

Last season’s National League South play-off winners have adjusted seamlessly to life back in the top-flight and have emerged as unlikely challengers, although back-to-back defeats have slowed their progress somewhat.

Tuesday night’s trip to Rochdale will provide another stern test to kick off a crucial month, similarly, the visit of Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers on February 21 and the trip to Southend United three days later.

In between, tough trips to Woking and Eastleigh and a visit of Yeovil Town will be crucial to sustaining their title charge before the month ends with a tough trip to Tamworth.

Garrard is blessed with a number of top performers who know what it takes to get the job done – and these will be crucial to keeping the dream alive for the Hertfordshire club.

Scunthorpe United – 5th

Played: 27

Points: 56

Goal difference: +19

Feb fixtures: Feb 7: Southend United (h), Feb 10: Carlisle United (a), Feb 14: Boston United (h), Feb 17: Rochdale (a), Feb 21: Aldershot Town (a), Feb 24: York City (h), Feb 28: Solihull Moors (h)

Of all the runners and riders, this feels like the least pressure is on Andy Butler’s side.

Yes, it’s a football club and fanbase that wants – even expects – to one day return to the EFL.

But this is their first season back in Non-League’s top flight following a tumultuous period that saw back-to-back relegations.

Promoted through the National League North play-offs last season – following heartbreak at the same stage the year before – Butler would have been aiming to keep building on the momentum they had built up.

But the title race? Scunny are well in it, especially following last weekend’s win over Forest Green Rovers.

February begins with hosting Southend United before a quick turnaround with a midweek trip to Carlisle.

There’s the not insignificant factor of a Lincolnshire derby at home to Boston, followed by another Tuesday night test on the road when they travel to Rochdale.

Struggling Aldershot Town is the next stop, and then, once again on a Tuesday, they welcome York City.

The month finishes up in their own backyard against a dangerous and resurgent Solihull Moors.

Scunthorpe United

Forest Green Rovers– 6th

Played: 29

Points: 55

Goal difference: +19

Feb Fixtures: Feb 3: Woking (h), Feb 7: York City (a), Feb 11: Rochdale (a), Feb 14: Carlisle United (h), Feb 21: Boreham Wood (a), Feb 24: Boston United (h), Feb 28: Gateshead (a)

Robbie Savage reckons if anyone can finish above York, then they will be the team to be crowned champions.

The former Macclesfield boss will also know his side needs to rediscover their consistency in results if they’re to do so.

Defeat to Scunthorpe last weekend came on the back of draws against Sutton United and Altrincham. They’ve also dropped points against Truro and lost to Brackley since Christmas.

But new signing Ricardo Rees, sending-off at Sutton aside, seems to have settled in quickly and they don’t lose many.

After hosting Woking, Rovers face a four-game run that looks absolutely pivotal in how the rest of their season will play out.

Back-to-back away trips to York City and Rochdale are followed by Carlisle at home before getting back on the coach to Boreham Wood.

It will be fascinating to see how many points they can pick up by the time Boston United are in Stroud on Tuesday, February 24, ahead of Gateshead away on the final day of February.

Forest Green Rovers

The chasers

The lurking pack will be hoping those closest to them take points off each other in February and their own play-off aspirations can benefit.

Adam Lakeland’s FC Halifax Town face a trio of strugglers in Aldershot, Brackley and Truro in the first part of February before York City away and Rochdale at home.

Last season’s play-off finalists, Southend United, have games in hand on those above them and will believe they can go better than just seventh, where they finished last term.

Kevin Maher’s side face Scunthorpe and Boreham Wood, but there are games against Aldershot, Morecambe, Brackley and Yeovil where they will no doubt be targeting a strong points haul.

Hartlepool United are buoyed by their new owner Landon Smith and boss Nicky Featherstone is getting a tune out of his team.

They take on York and Carlisle in February, but have other games where they will aim to make up ground on the top seven.

One key one will be the trip to Solihull Moors on February 21. Their boss, Chris Millington, knows consistency will be key if they are to sneak in there.

Again, they largely have a set of fixtures against teams below them in the table, including Woking. The Cards are 12 points back with two games in hand.