National League North roundup: AFC Fylde take control of the title race

By Etienne Jones

AFC Fylde now find themselves in the driving seat of the title race, as a 4-3 win over Radcliffe extended their lead at the top to six points.

This came after second-placed South Shields fell to defeat, with Darlington nicking the only goal in a game that tightened the Quakers’ grip on a play-off place.

Chester also strengthened their play-off chase with an away victory at Macclesfield, whilst Peterborough Sports were relegated on the road at Oxford City.

Here is a full roundup of Monday’s National League North action.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Non-League news you need, subscribe to The Non-League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

AFC Fylde 4-3 Radcliffe

It’s now Fylde’s title to lose, as an emphatic game at Mill Farm saw the Coasters come out on top despite a comeback scare from the visitors.

Three first-half goals from the home side, including a Luca Thomas brace, finished off by Tom Whelan’s drive from the edge of the box, had the home side in control.

Lois Maynard’s powerful near-post header for Radcliffe was followed up by Rio Clegg powering home from close range.

Maynard then turned provider, flicking on a cross for Jordan Hulme, who headed home to complete the comeback.

Ethan Mitchell would reply within five minutes for the hosts, being met at the back post by Whelan’s free kick to seal all three points for Craig Mahon’s side.

Fylde extend their lead at the top to six points, whilst Radcliffe drop to 13th place on 57 points.

South Shields 0-1 Darlington

Darlington compounded South Shields’ misery, with Cedric Main scoring the only goal in a game where the Mariners will regret missed chances.

Main finished off Tom Allan’s drilled pass across the face of the goal, giving the Quakers’ an early advantage 25 minutes in, just moments after Sonny Finch drilled a volley over from close range for the home side.

Finch timed a run well and looked to round Darlington’s emergency-loan goalkeeper Pete Jameson, but the keeper dived low at the striker’s feet and trapped the ball.

Shields did have the ball in the back of the net as Olly Bainbridge slid home, but it was flagged for offside, before Lennon Wheeldon crashed an effort off the bar from inside the six-yard box.

South Shields need to close a gap of six points with a game in hand over Fylde; Darlington sit sixth on 68 points.

Oxford City 2-0 Peterborough Sports

The league will say goodbye to Peterborough Sports at the end of the campaign, as the Turbines saw their four-year stay in the division come to an end at the MGroup Stadium.

Michael Gash’s side saw chances limited in the first half, with City’s Max Metcalfe denying efforts from Mark Jones and Kaine Felix.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute as Matty Taylor marked his first City goal by finishing a cross under Sports keeper Peter Crook.

Taylor scuffed a shot just wide 15 minutes later, but City would extend their lead in injury time, with Ewan Clark tapping home into an empty net after substitute Jack Bearne rounded an at-sea Crook.

Oxford City’s six-game unbeaten run has lifted them five points clear of the drop with three to play, while the Turbines sit ten points from safety and are relegated.

Macclesfield 0-2 Chester

Connell Rawlinson’s Chester strengthened their play-off bid and are giving the top seven something to sweat about, as they defeated fourth-placed Macclesfield 2-0 on the road.

Dylan Mottley-Henry opened the scoring, cutting through the Silkmen’s rear-guard and finishing past Rogan Ravenhill.

With Macc looking to retain their grip on the top seven, they made three changes at the break.

The biggest chance came on the hour as Paul Dawson saw his effort well blocked by Tom Davies on the hour.

Jack Bainbridge would seal the three points for the Seals with eight minutes remaining, as he finished off from Declan Weeks. Fin Roberts was unlucky to see his effort strike the bar.

The result leaves Chester with a gap of just one point between them and seventh-placed Merthyr Town; Macclesfield drop to fourth.

Elsewhere…

Scarborough Athletic put Spennymoor Town’s play-off hopes on hold, as Stephen Walker’s 71st-minute strike put the home side into fifth place.

Buxton clawed themselves back into the race with a 2-1 win over Worksop Town, whilst Merthyr Town’s fourth defeat in five saw them lose 3-0 at Hereford, who are fighting for survival.

Kidderminster leapt past Macclesfield with a 2-1 win at AFC Telford United, Alfreton closed the gap to 20th to four points with a 2-1 win over Leamington, whilst Southport beat Curzon Ashton 3-1.

Marine’s first-half double saw them claim victory over Chorley, whilst an 87th-minute penalty handed Bedford Town a late away win at King’s Lynn Town.

Full results (Easter Monday – National League North)

AFC Telford United 1-2 Kidderminster Harriers
Curzon Ashton 1-3 Southport
AFC Fylde 4-3 Radcliffe
Hereford 3-0 Merthyr Town
King’s Lynn Town 0-1 Bedford Town
Leamington 1-2 Alfreton Town
Macclesfield 0-2 Chester
Marine 2-1 Chorley
Oxford City 2-0 Peterborough Sports
Scarborough Athletic 1-0 Spennymoor Town
South Shields 0-1 Darlington
Worksop Town 1-2 Buxton

PICTURE: Steve Mclellan

READ MORE: National League roundup: York City extend lead over Rochdale as Braintree Town go down