National League roundup: Gateshead stun York City as Rochdale stretch their lead at the summit

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In-form Gateshead stunned promotion-chasing York City to climb out of the relegation zone, adding another twist to the National League title race as Rochdale moved three points clear after the midweek action.

Dale could only draw at play-off hopefuls Scunthorpe United, but York’s slip-up on Tuesday means Jimmy McNulty’s side move a step closer to a return to the English Football League.

There is still a long way to go, with six huge games remaining – including a potential title decider between the rivals on the final day, should it go that far.

Elsewhere, Hartlepool United edged a five-goal thriller against struggling Morecambe, while Carlisle United beat FC Halifax Town to dent their play-off hopes.

Here is a full roundup of the midweek action.

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Gateshead 3-1 York City

National League promotion hopefuls York were stunned after being beaten 3-1 by strugglers Gateshead.

Ollie Pearce went close for second-placed York early on, but the Heed went ahead in the 41st minute when Brad Nicholson launched a long throw-in into the area for Keaton Ward to slot home at the back post.

They doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Ash Boatswain struck from Josh Anifowose’s low pass into the box, and Louis Storey headed home in the 85th minute from Ward’s free-kick.

Pearce pulled one back for York in the third minute of added time, but the victory lifted Heed out of the bottom four and two points clear.

Scunthorpe United 2-2 Rochdale

Rochdale surrendered a two-goal lead and had to settle for a 2-2 draw at play-off chasing Scunthorpe.

The league leaders broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, a long ball up the field was flicked by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe into the path of Luke Hannant, who finished.

Louis Jones gifted Aidan Barlow a second for Dale after the break, but the visitors let the hosts back into the match when Callum Roberts took advantage of a defensive error to make it 2-1.

Scunthorpe snatched a draw three minutes from time when Alfie Beestin smashed in at the near post to give both sides a point.

Whilst they missed the chance to go five points clear at the top of the National League, they edge ever closer to title glory due to the Minstermen’s defeat.

FC Halifax Town 0-1 Carlisle United

Regan Linney grabbed his 20th goal of the season for Carlisle as they scraped a 1-0 win at Halifax to remain clear in third place.

The Cumbrians thumped Boston United 6-2 at the weekend and followed that with a nip-and-tuck victory at The Shay, converting with their only concrete chance.

Linney latched on to a deft pass from full-back Jack Ellis in the 68th minute and found a finish as he slotted past Sam Johnson.

Halifax saw Gabe Breeze save from Josh Hmami as they attempted to salvage a point, but they were unable to find an equaliser and slipped out of the final play-off spot after Southend United picked up a point the following night.

Morecambe 2-3 Hartlepool United

Hartlepool moved to within two points of the National League play-offs as they came from behind for a 3-2 victory at Morecambe, who plunged closer to relegation.

The hosts hit the front midway through the first period when Gwion Edwards turned home from a corner, but the visitors were only behind for a matter of 11 minutes before they got themselves on level terms through Charlie Caton.

The home team restored their lead on the hour courtesy of Jack Nolan, but they were pegged level for a second time when Alex Reid slotted home with 13 minutes to play.

And the Pools went ahead for the first time in the 87th minute and snatched the points through Reid’s second.

Southend United 1-1 Woking

Tom Hopper’s late equaliser earned Southend a 1-1 draw with Woking that moved them back into the National League play-off places.

Woking went ahead in the 20th minute when Joe Gbode’s cross picked out Olly Sanderson and he curled the ball into the top left-hand corner.

Southend dominated the contest in search of an equaliser and almost had it on the hour, but Oli Coker’s strike from outside the box was tipped over the crossbar by William Jaaskelainen.

The Shrimpers finally got their deserved equaliser two minutes from time when Charley Kendall’s strike deflected off Hopper and in.

Tamworth 1-0 Forest Green Rovers

Play-off hopefuls Forest Green Rovers were sunk by a stoppage-time winner from Dan Creaney to lose 1-0 at Tamworth.

Rovers dominated the first half with D’Mani Mellor putting an early header wide before Tamworth keeper Jas Singh tipped Jayden Clarke’s shot over the top.

The visitors went even closer after the break when Chibby Nwoko clipped the outside of a post at a corner.

Oli Lynch drilled a shot wide midway through the second half for the hosts, before Tamworth snatched the points when Stefan Mols teed up Creaney at the death.

Aldershot Town 1-2 Boreham Wood

Regan Booty launched a long-range stunner as promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood strengthened their grasp on a National League play-off spot with a 2-1 win over Aldershot Town.

Booty ended a two-month goal drought in the third minute at the EBB Stadium, lashing home a first-time effort from a corner, but his second was a jaw dropper.

He snatched a loose ball in midfield before spotting Coniah Boyce-Clarke off his line and beat the goalkeeper from just over the halfway line.

Brody Peart pulled one back before the break with a neat finish from outside the area, but both sides drew a blank in the second period to bolster Boreham Wood in fourth place.

Wealdstone 0-2 Yeovil Town

Goals from Terrell Works and James Daly fired Yeovil Town to a 2-0 win at Wealdstone in the National League.

On-loan Fulham forward Works put the visitors ahead after Ryan Jones led a swift counter-attack seven minutes before half-time.

Three minutes into the second half, Town had their second, Daly finishing a ball over the top from Josh Sims.

Troy Perrett was sent off for a foul on Connor McAvoy two minutes later, but the 10-man Glovers held on to move nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Eastleigh 0-2 Sutton United

National League strugglers Eastleigh suffered a third straight defeat after goalkeeper Nick Townsend saw red in the sixth minute of their 2-0 loss at home to Sutton United.

The Spitfires were reduced to 10 men when Townsend was sent off for a late challenge.

And the visitors took just seven minutes to capitalise as Kai Jennings scored directly from a corner.

Charlie Bell fired narrowly over the crossbar before the break, but Sutton had to wait until the 80th minute to wrap up three points when Brandon Njoku blasted home a second.

Eastleigh sit just four points above the relegation zone with six games to play, with Sutton moving eight points clear of trouble.

Brackley Town 1-1 Braintree Town

Brackley Town dropped into the National League relegation zone despite coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow strugglers Braintree Town.

Ben Drake gave visitors Braintree a lead early in the second half, but Aidan Elliott-Wheeler’s 62nd-minute leveller – and Gateshead’s win against promotion-chasing York – left both teams in the bottom four.

Brackley’s Connor Hall hit the crossbar with a backheel and team-mate Morgan Roberts struck a post in a goalless first half that also saw debutant home goalkeeper Harrison Rhone – hours after arriving on loan from Reading – deny Lewis Walker at the other end.

Drake scored directly from a corner in the 49th minute to put Braintree on course for a first win in five that would have moved them level on points and goal difference with their opponents.

But loanee Elliott-Wheeler struck his first goal for Brackley to earn his side just a second point in their last 10 league games.

Truro City 1-1 Solihull Moors

Truro City’s Jack Stretton scored a spectacular goal, but the bottom side were pegged back by Solihull Moors in a 1-1 draw.

Ten minutes into the second half, Stretton met Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross with a stunning overhead kick.

City substitute Tom Dean almost grabbed a debut goal to double the lead, but his snap-shot was saved by Laurie Walker.

Instead, Truro were made to pay for some defensive indecision when Joe Sbarra snaffled an equaliser 13 minutes from the end.

Boston United 2-2 Altrincham

Tom Cursons scored a late leveller as Boston drew 2-2 with Altrincham.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Luca Barrington’s long-range strike.

Declan Howe pulled Altrincham level two minutes into the second half after chipping home goalkeeper Dan Cameron.

And the visitors went in front in the 63rd minute as Jimmy Knowles scored against his former club.

But second-half substitute Cursons earned Boston a point in the third minute of stoppage time.

National League results

Wednesday 25th March

Morecambe 2-3 Hartlepool United
Scunthorpe United 2-2 Rochdale
Southend United 1-1 Woking
Tamworth 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Truro City 1-1 Solihull Moors
Wealdstone 0-2 Yeovil Town

Tuesday 24th March

Aldershot Town 1-2 Boreham Wood
Boston United 2-2 Altrincham
Brackley Town 1-1 Braintree Town
Eastleigh 0-2 Sutton United
Gateshead 3-1 York City
FC Halifax Town 0-1 Carlisle United

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