National League preview: York City & Rochdale locked in title scrap as Hartlepool United chase play-offs

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The National League title battle is intensifying, with York City and Rochdale refusing to blink as another round of fixtures approaches amid a busy midweek schedule.

Dale kept their place at the top of the table at the weekend with a confident 3-0 win against Woking, and York City matched this with a solid 4-1 win over FC Halifax Town to maintain the gap at just a single point.

Elsewhere on Saturday, play-off-chasing Hartlepool United took all three points with a thrilling 4-3 win over Solihull Moors as they look to close the gap on seventh-placed side Southend United.

Meanwhile, the battle to avoid relegation also gathers pace, with Morecambe travelling to Gateshead in a crucial six-pointer to potentially decide the fate of both sides.

Here, Luca Salmasi previews every clash from the National League this week. With a busy midweek schedule ahead, supporters interested in the latest promotions and prices can find offers from leading new betting sites.

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FC Halifax Town vs Rochdale

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026

FC Halifax Town host league leaders Rochdale in a crucial National League clash as they look to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to York.

They are eager to overtake Southend in the battle for seventh place and return to winning ways after two successive losses, having only earned four points from their last five games.

Meanwhile, Dale looks to uphold their top position in the National League table and are in strong form, unbeaten in their last 10 games with eight wins and two draws.

They are likely favourites to secure all three points, having beaten four teams around the promotion and play-off spots (Southend, Boreham Wood, Carlisle United) since January.

Despite Rochdale’s strong form, the National League’s competitive nature means they cannot afford complacency.

Wealdstone vs Brackley Town

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Wealdstone’s 3-0 defeat on Saturday was the final straw, leading to the sacking of Sam Cox after just eight months in charge.

The club’s fear of slipping into a fight for survival grows, as they are just six points above the National League relegation zone.

This is a crucial match, as first-team coach Danny Payne will now take charge of The Stones to steer them back to winning ways.

Brackley Town also come into this fixture following a 3-0 defeat, as they were undone at home to Southend, and sit above The Stones on a slightly better goal difference.

The Saints are in much better form, having lost only one of their last five games, whereas Wealdstone have lost their last three fixtures.

As a result, they are seen as the favourites going into this away trip to North London.

Tamworth vs Altrincham

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Tamworth enters this game following a goalless draw with Boston United, marking a fourth consecutive draw for The Lambs.

They need a win to distance themselves from the relegation scrap and consolidate a mid-table finish.

Altrincham arrive in better form, having won 2-1 against Braintree Town on Saturday, their second consecutive victory.

They aim to make it three wins in a row and to climb the table, potentially reaching the top half of the National League by the end of the midweek fixtures.

With Alty riding high on confidence and Tamworth struggling to turn draws into wins, the visitors are more likely to come out on top – unless Andy Peak’s side can break their draw streak and find a sharper attacking edge.

Forest Green Rovers vs Boston United

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Forest Green aim to bounce back after a tough spell, having lost three of their last five games.

Following a 1-1 draw against fellow playoff contenders Boreham Wood on Saturday, they seek to regain the form that has driven their promotion push and maintain pressure on the teams above them.

Visitors Boston United arrive in excellent form, having secured four wins from their last five matches, with only a 0-0 draw against Tamworth on Saturday breaking their streak. They will be eager to continue their impressive run.

Although Rovers are favourites based on their league position, their recent shaky form gives The Pilgrims hope of securing a positive result.

They are no strangers to an upset, having defeated Scunthorpe United 6-3 recently. Confident after their recent performances, they will travel to The New Lawn believing they can keep this great form going.

Southend United vs Boreham Wood

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Southend head into this game having won their last two fixtures, including a 3-0 away victory against Brackley.

They have four games in hand, partly due to their ongoing success in the FA Trophy.

The Shrimpers will be looking to continue their positive form as they push to strengthen their play-off position and keep the chasing pack at arm’s length.

Boreham Wood faced Forest Green in their last fixture, ending in a close draw, and will be heading into this crucial match with the aim of closing the gap to Carlisle.

However, out of the two sides, Southend’s recent, short winning streak, along with the eight goals scored across both games, gives Kevin Maher’s a clear advantage heading into this promotion clash.

Scunthorpe United vs York City      

Kick-off at 19:45 on Tuesday 24th February 2026            

Scunthorpe remain comfortably inside the play-off places but will be looking to bounce back after a recent 3-1 defeat to Aldershot Town and strengthen their position in the promotion race.

York, who are in a hard-fought title race with Rochdale, will want to keep their unbeaten run going, having won all of their last five games.

Stuart Maynard’s side yet again will be hoping for a slip-up from their rivals that could help them gain control of the title race, though they must first negotiate a testing challenge against Andy Butler’s men.

The Iron remain a threat in the promotion hunt despite a recent run without victory and will be determined to respond.

Woking vs Solihull Moors

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Woking go into this game aiming to build some consistency after losing four of their last five matches, with a 3-0 defeat against Rochdale being the most recent setback for their season.

They need a positive result to revitalise their campaign.

Solihull, however, arrive in slightly better form, having earned one more point in their last five fixtures than The Cardinals.

The Moors also suffered a narrow defeat at the weekend, coming out on the wrong side of a 4-3 thriller against Hartlepool.

Braintree Town vs Aldershot Town        

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Braintree enters this match eager to recover from a 2-1 loss away at Altrincham, aiming to turn their season around and prevent relegation from the National League.

Meanwhile, Aldershot arrives with momentum after a shock victory over play-off contenders Scunthorpe, and they intend to capitalise on the confidence gained when they travel to the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium.

The Shots see this as a chance to climb higher in the league standings and secure their place in the National League for another season.

Yeovil Town vs Sutton United

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Yeovil Town head into this match after a run of disappointing results and will be determined to avoid slipping closer to the relegation zone.

The Glovers will look to make the most of home advantage as they search for vital points.

Sutton, level on points with their opponents, arrive in better form following their victory over Wealdstone and will be confident of extending their positive run to strengthen their position in the table.

Hartlepool United vs Carlisle United

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Hartlepool will look to build on their dramatic 4-3 win over Solihull as they push to strengthen their play-off ambitions.

Confidence will be high following that result, but they face a tough test against Carlisle.

The Cumbrians arrive in strong form after their victory over Yeovil and are within an outside chance in the title race alongside Rochdale and York.

Eastleigh vs Truro City

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Eastleigh head into this fixture seeking an immediate response following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Morecambe and the subsequent departure of manager Scott Bartlett after the match.

The hosts will be eager to regain stability and steer clear of a relegation fight.

Truro City also arrive off the back of a defeat, losing to relegation rivals Gateshead and will be targeting three vital points to improve their chances of National League survival.

Gateshead vs Morecambe

Kick-off at 19:45 on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Gateshead head into this fixture aiming to build on their recent victories, which helped end a difficult winless run, and will be looking to continue their late resurgence away from the relegation zone.

Morecambe also arrive in good spirits after a convincing victory over Eastleigh that ended their winless run and offered a glimmer of hope for their campaign.

The visitors will need the same defensive discipline and attacking efficiency shown at the weekend if they are to secure a positive result on the road, though.

National League

Tuesday 24 February – 19:45 kick-off

Forest Green Rovers vs Boston United

FC Halifax Town vs Rochdale

Scunthorpe United vs York City

Southend United vs Boreham Wood

Tamworth vs Altrincham

Wealdstone vs Brackley Town

Wednesday 25 February – 19:45 kick-off

Braintree Town vs Aldershot Town

Eastleigh vs Truro City

Gateshead vs Morecambe

Hartlepool United vs Carlisle United

Woking vs Solihull Moors

Yeovil Town vs Sutton United

Click HERE to watch every National League fixture, live or on demand, via DAZN

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