National League roundup: Southend United stun Rochdale as Gateshead boost survival hopes

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Southend United defeated leaders Rochdale to end their long unbeaten run and blow the title race wide open, while relegation-threatened Gateshead boosted their survival hopes with another crucial victory.

The Shrimpers ran out 3-2 winners at Roots Hall to dent Dale’s grip at the summit, with title rivals York City now just two points behind with eight games left.

Gateshead, meanwhile, edged past Wealdstone thanks to Ashley Boatswain’s strike to continue their resurgence at the bottom.

Rob Elliot’s side are now level on points with Brackley Town but remain in the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Here is a full roundup of the midweek National League action.

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Southend United 3-2 Rochdale

National League leaders Rochdale failed to capitalise on their game in hand as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Southend.

Goals from Andrew Dallas, James Golding and Tom Hopper brought an end to Dale’s 15-match unbeaten run and kept them just two points ahead of nearest challengers York.

Southend went ahead after three minutes when Dallas finished off a flowing team move down the left, and Golding doubled their lead in the 17th minute, reacting first to the loose ball from a free-kick.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe pulled a goal back three minutes later with his 24th goal of the season and 12th in as many games, but the Shrimpers restored their two-goal cushion just before the half-hour mark, Hopper netting the rebound after his header was parried by goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff.

Casey Pettit gave Rochdale hope with a 20-yard effort into the far corner 10 minutes into the second half, but they were unable to force an equaliser as Southend moved into the play-off places.

Gateshead 1-0 Wealdstone

Boatswain scored the only goal as Gateshead continued their fight for survival with a 1-0 win over Wealdstone.

The 20-year-old’s strike extended the Heed’s unbeaten run to five games and moved them level on points with Brackley as they look to escape the relegation zone.

Kenton Richardson headed wide in the early stages before Fenton John fired just past the upright.

The hosts went ahead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time when Boatswain tapped home from Brad Nicholson’s long throw-in.

Zak Gilsenan came close after the break and Nathan Tshikuna hit a curling strike past the post, but Gateshead held on.

Truro City 1-2 Scunthorpe United

Scunthorpe United earned back-to-back National League wins after beating bottom side Truro City 2-1.

The Iron went ahead 14 minutes in when Tyler Denton hit a delivery into the box for Leo Farrell to fire home.

They doubled their advantage six minutes later after a well-worked team move was finished by Alfie Beestin, who found the bottom corner.

Truro pulled one back in the 44th minute when Freddie Issaka tapped home from Zac Bell’s cross.

Visiting goalkeeper Louis Jones made two saves early in the second half and was called into action again to deny Rekeil Pyke as the Iron sealed the points.

Brackley Town 1-1 Solihull Moors

Andy Whing finally earned his first point as Brackley boss with Matt Lowe’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Solihull Moors, keeping them just above the National League drop zone.

An eighth straight defeat under Whing would have seen them slip into the bottom four, and that looked to be on the cards when Isaac Moore put the visitors in front seven minutes into the second half.

Lowe had twice come close to hitting the target for the Saints, denied by the crossbar and later by a strong save from Laurie Walker, and he made it third time lucky when he headed home in the 74th minute.

By then, Brackley were already down to 10 men following Tahvon Campbell’s sending off, but they rallied well to end their barren run.

Woking 1-0 Yeovil Town

Home skipper Harry Beautyman scored the decisive goal as Woking stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-0 win over Yeovil Town.

Beautyman had flashed an earlier effort over the top but rose to the occasion on the half-hour mark, picking out the bottom corner to put his side ahead.

He came close to doubling up just a couple of minutes later but flashed wide, with the Glovers unable to muster an equaliser in an improved second period.

James Daly was a lively presence, but a looping deflected effort that was well saved by Will Jaaskelainen was as close as he came.

While Woking are secure in mid-table, a third successive defeat leaves Yeovil looking nervously down at the relegation zone from 19th.

National League scores from the midweek action

Tuesday 17th March 2026

Brackley Town 1-1 Solihull Moors
Gateshead 1-0 Wealdstone
Southend United 3-2 Rochdale
Truro City 1-2 Scunthorpe United
Woking 1-0 Yeovil Town

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

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