National League roundup: York City go top as Rochdale slip up in goal-filled midweek drama

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York City climbed to the summit of the National League with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Scunthorpe United, capitalising on Rochdale’s late slip-up against FC Halifax Town.

The Shaymen, still pushing for a top-seven finish, staged a dramatic late turnaround to snatch a point from the title chasers and shift the momentum at the top of the table.

York, meanwhile, made no mistake against Scunthorpe, stretching their winning run to eight matches and moving a point clear at the summit in the process.

Elsewhere, it was a night packed with drama and goals across the division – none more so than a breathless 4-4 draw between relegation battlers Gateshead and Morecambe.

Here’s your full round-up of the midweek National League action.

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FC Halifax Town 2-2 Rochdale

Rochdale threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Halifax and lose top spot in the National League.

Will Harris and Tom Lavery both struck in the last three minutes as Dale drew a third game in their last four to drop behind York, who had thrashed Halifax 4-1 at the weekend.

It looked like Rochdale were on course for a similarly comfortable contest when Devante Rodney beat an offside trap and fired past Sam Johnson after 15 minutes.

A second goal did not arrive until the 84th minute when unfortunate Halifax defender Jevon Mills was credited with the final touch as Tyler Smith looked to force the ball home.

But Halifax pulled one back in the 87th minute through Harris, and they picked up an important point in their push for the play-offs when Lavery turned in a cross two minutes into added time.

Scunthorpe United 0-3 York City

Josh Stones bagged a brace as York climbed to the top of the National League table with a 3-0 victory at fellow promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe.

Stones twice went close early on before opening the scoring in the 14th minute when he found the bottom corner.

Joe Grey made it 2-0 just before the half-hour mark, heading in his first goal since November.

Jeff King hit the bar early in the second half after home goalkeeper Rory Mahady had kept out Grey’s initial effort.

Stones got his second goal of the game in the 71st minute to make the points safe, with the victory sending York top following Rochdale’s draw at Halifax.

Hartlepool United 3-1 Carlisle United

Hartlepool United ended 10-man Carlisle United’s National League winning streak and boosted their own play-off hopes with a 3-1 home victory.

Tyrese Sinclair’s driving run from halfway and fabulous finish put Pools ahead after 12 minutes, and Alex Reid volleyed in a second shortly after the restart.

Teenage substitute Calvin Okike scored with his first touch as a Hartlepool player after 77 minutes, following up Sam Folarin’s parried effort.

Third-placed Carlisle, who had won their previous three matches, had Harvey Macadam sent off just before the hour mark after picking up a second yellow card.

The Cumbrians claimed a consolation 10 minutes from time when Georgie Kelly converted from close range.

Gateshead 4-4 Morecambe

Billy Chadwick and Chris Popov each scored a hat-trick as Gateshead and Morecambe shared a thrilling draw.

Only Truro City are below these two clubs in the National League, but the pair served up a stunning game after Keaton Ward put Gateshead ahead after three minutes.

Morecambe turned it around to lead 3-1 as on-loan Leicester City forward Popov struck either side of a Jack Nolan header.

Two Chadwick penalties levelled matters, but Popov quickly grabbed his third to restore Morecambe’s advantage.

Gateshead would not be denied, though, and Chadwick completed his treble after 73 minutes with a clever dink.

Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Boston United

Boston United stunned Forest Green Rovers with three first-half goals to extend their unbeaten run in the National League to seven games.

Frankie Maguire gave Boston a 12th-minute lead from the penalty spot after the recalled Greg Sloggett was caught by a high boot.

Sloggett was denied by goalkeeper Harry Isted from long range, but Jamie Grimes headed the second and Tom Cursons made it three before the break.

First-half substitute Harvey Bunker pulled one back in the 71st minute for Robbie Savage’s side and Tom Knowles’ stoppage-time drive set up a tense finish.

Tamworth 5-1 Altrincham

Tamworth registered a first win in seven National League games by thrashing nine-man Altrincham 5-1 at the Lamb Ground.

Kennedy Digie headed the hosts into a half-time lead but Jimmy Knowles equalised early in the second period with his ninth league goal of the season.

Robins defender Dan Sassi was dismissed for a high challenge in the 54th minute before Stefan Mols restored Tamworth’s advantage with a penalty four minutes later after Tylor Golden was sent off for conceding the spot-kick.

Substitute Ben Acquaye put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute before Joe Rye added another and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd completed the scoring in added time.

Yeovil Town 3-2 Sutton United

Yeovil Town scored twice in added time to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory at home to fellow National League strugglers Sutton United.

The Glovers took the lead after 41 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Terrell Works.

Luke McCormick’s spot-kick was saved, but James Daly was on hand to turn in the rebound.

Sutton hit back five minutes into first-half added time when Hayden Muller headed in from Besart Topalloj’s cross.

The visitors completed the turnaround on 66 minutes as Lewis Simper picked out Kai Jennings, who fired past Jed Ward.

But Yeovil rallied in stunning fashion to pull eight points clear of the relegation zone as Daly struck again three minutes into added time before Brett McGavin grabbed the winner from the penalty spot two minutes later.

Southend United 0-2 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood strengthened their National League play-off hopes with a 2-0 win at Southend United.

Abdul Abdulmalik fired the visitors in front at Roots Hall after only 11 minutes.

Abdulmalik then turned provider when his cross was converted by Matt Rush with 15 minutes remaining.

Boreham Wood’s win ensures they stay in fourth, now 12 points clear of seventh-placed Southend, albeit having played two games more than the Shrimpers.

Wealdstone 2-1 Brackley Town

Wealdstone fended off 10-man Brackley Town to claim a 2-1 National League win at Grosvenor Vale.

Danny Newton was sent off for Brackley midway through the first half before Sean Adarkwa crashed home the opener only eight minutes later.

Nathan Tshikuna doubled Wealdstone’s advantage shortly after the hour mark, although Morgan Roberts pulled one back for Brackley with 12 minutes to go.

But Wealdstone saw out the victory to end a three-match losing streak and move up to 14th in the table, three places clear of Brackley.

Eastleigh 2-1 Truro City

Aaron Pierre scored a last-gasp winner as Richard Hill began his fourth spell as Eastleigh boss with a 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Truro.

Eastleigh took the lead with 18 minutes left to play as Aaron Blair played across goal for Inih Effiong, who tapped in after a wonderfully-timed run.

Truro, now 11 points from safety, drew level in the 83rd minute when Connor Riley-Lowe’s corner found Luke Jephcott, who was on hand to poke home.

But Eastleigh left it late to sink the dagger into Truro when Pierre headed home from a corner for his third goal of the season.

Braintree Town 1-2 Aldershot Town

Braintree Town slipped further into relegation trouble after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Aldershot Town.

The Shots hit the front shortly after the break when James Henry found himself in space and fired in an effort which deflected off Sean Patton and into the net.

Braintree equalised 10 minutes later when Sahid Kamara threaded a pass into Taylan Harris and he found the bottom corner with a smart finish.

But Aldershot grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.

Charlie Warren’s strike from 25 yards was saved by Mason Terry, but he spilled the ball into the path of Henry, who poked home to leave Braintree five points from safety.

National League scores from the midweek action

Tuesday 24th February

Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Boston United

FC Halifax Town 2-2 Rochdale

Scunthorpe United 0-3 York City

Southend United 0-2 Boreham Wood

Tamworth 5-1 Altrincham

Wealdstone 2-1 Brackley Town

Wednesday 25th February

Braintree Town 1-2 Aldershot Town

Eastleigh 2-1 Truro City

Gateshead 4-4 Morecambe

Hartlepool United 3-1 Carlisle United

Woking P-P Solihull Moors

Yeovil Town 3-2 Sutton United

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