Tom Bailey (Page 3)

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Despite taking the lead, Yeovil were defeated by Sutton United in their final home game of the season, losing 2-1. Let’s see what else went on across the division on a busy Saturday!

We begin in London, where Dagenham & Redbridge stuffed 6 past playoff hunters Altrincham to take a giant lead towards safety; Josh Rees scored a hat trick, and former Glover Dion Pereira got involved in the fun, leaving the Daggers outside the drop zone heading into the final day. Tamworth decided to make their last home game of the season a dramatic one, as they once found themselves 3-1 down at home to relegated AFC Fylde – a goal just before the break, and two more in the second half, one of which was the 91st minute winner, handed them the three points in a 4-3 thriller.

Rochdale confirmed their spot in the post-season action with a thumping 5-1 win at home to Hartlepool United, Devante Rodney adding a double to his recent impressive form, making it 7 goals in his last 5 games. Back in London, the title race was finally ended, as Barnet confirmed their place in the EFL with a 4-0 win over Aldershot Town, confirming York City‘s place in the playoffs despite their 2-0 win over Solihull Moors. In the lunchtime kickoff, Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh, another former Glover got on the scoresheet in the shape of Jamie Andrews.

Southend United dropped Wealdstone into the relegation zone with a convincing 3-0 win at home, moving themselves into the playoff spots in the process; their final day fixture is against the side they replaced in the top 7, Gateshead – they lost 2-1 away at Boston United as the hosts completed their great escape. Maidenhead United ensured their battle against relegation would go on until the final day, as they won 2-0 away at relegated Ebbsfleet United. Finally, there were 1-0 wins for FC Halifax Town and Forest Green Rovers, defeating Braintree Town and Oldham Athletic respectively.

National League results – in full

Woking 2-2 Eastleigh
Barnet 4-0 Aldershot Town (Barnet are champions)
Boston United 2-1 Gateshead
Dagenham & Redbridge 6-1 Altrincham
Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Maidenhead United
FC Halifax Town 1-0 Braintree Town
Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Oldham Athletic
Rochdale 5-1 Hartlepool United
Tamworth 4-3 AFC Fylde
Yeovil Town 1-2 Sutton United
York City 2-0 Solihull Moors
Southend United 3-0 Wealdstone

National League table

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Jake Wannell applauds the Yeovil Town supporters.

Behind the microphone this time, Tom Bailey is back with his Five Conclusions from Yeovil’s game against Sutton United.

Not the most enthralling game… it wasn’t a classic, was it? Yeovil were ok, Sutton were a bit better than ok, it was exactly what it was on the tin – two mid-table sides slugging it out, making sloppy mistakes and missing good chances. Sutton played it to perfection, two really well taken goals (the first admittedly was assisted by some shoddy defending, but still a solid header) were simply the difference in an otherwise average, but competitive encounter.

Harry Kite is some player. If we can somehow convince Harry Kite to stay with us next season, I think we’ll already be off to a great start, cos this guy is pretty good at this football malarkey! He controlled the midfield expertly, linking the defence to the attack effortlessly, and his vision is unrivalled in this team with Sonny Blu a very close second! A midfield of Kite alongside McGavin next season makes me excited to think of what may come next season!

Harry Kite celebrates with his teammates. Photo by Gary Brown.

The initiatives worked again! Kids for a Quid was in place once again today, and it’s continued to prove its worth – 3,566 were in attendance today, and since the K.F.A.Q. was put in place, attendances have risen above the season average, showing how important something like this is to a family-based, community driven club! The atmosphere was class once again, it’s just a shame the Thatchers Terrace didn’t get one more goal to enjoy, despite the Glovers’ best efforts. Maybe something for the new owners to consider putting in place more frequently…

Returns gave a flash of what could’ve been. We didn’t expect to see Jake Wannell or Aaron Jarvis again this season; these were the words of none other than Mark Cooper post-Eastleigh, however we got a glimpse of both this afternoon! While both clearly lacking match sharpness, their quality was starting to shine through, Jarvis demonstrating his excellent hold-up play, and Wannell continuing to demonstrate his exceptional passing and footwork. It makes you wonder what could’ve been this season, but hopefully a summer of rest and a full pre-season will give these boys the best preparation for a successful 2025/26 season!

Jake Wannell leads the full-time applause. Photo by Gary Brown.

Home season is done. And there have been plenty of highs and lows to take in – the Fylde and Oldham wins… the W*ymouth and Boston results, Huish Park has had its fair share of action this season. 7 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses in the league, while not a great record, is far from the worst – if we can re-capture that fortress feeling from the title season, and carry that into next season, the sky could well be the limit for this club. God I love Yeovil… onwards to Aldershot!

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In the stands for Monday’s game against Eastleigh was Yeovil Town Radio commentator Tom Bailey. Here are his conclusions.

We can be proud of the performance in the circumstances given. It was a fairly even first 35 minutes in my opinion, even with their goal coming in that timeframe; we looked really good going down the right hand side, and with eleven men on the field, I think we’d have stuck one of those chances away. The red card was absolutely warranted, no matter the provocation, you cannot react like that on a football pitch, particularly in the modern day. Eastleigh didn’t offer much else in the second half, sitting back and absorbing the attacks that Yeovil threw at them. 55 minutes being a man down away from home, I think we can be happy with the performance, despite the result.

Otis Khan heads down the tunnel after 36 minutes.

Yeovil are massive. The atmosphere generated by the travelling fans was awesome, my spot in the South Stand giving me the best of both worlds as I heard both seated and standing fans chanting and boosting the team. All season, the away support has been fantastic, and the 600+ in attendance on Monday was testament to that. I know that attendances aren’t everything, but they’re certainly something, and I’m sure the team feels that – keep it up you Glovers!

Fearlessness was a really welcome presence. We’ve heard Mark Cooper mention before about not wanting to turn games into basketball matches, which can lead to some safe football in order to effectively dominate teams and in turn beat them. However I want to give Mark and all the players some credit for the manner of the performance on Monday, and indeed over the last few weeks, where we have looked fearless. We were down a man, and could easily have retreated into ourselves and jumped to damage limitation, and instead we went for it. We brought on Josh Sims, Ciaran McGuckin, and later Lewys Twamley; all three gave us some width and pace up top, allowing us to pile the pressure onto the Eastleigh backline, and as mentioned in Conclusion 1, with 11 men I really do think we’d have left with a point at the bare minimum.

An estimated 800 Yeovil fans travelled to Eastleigh – these are just some of them.

Rule 1… this one won’t be a big one, due to said rule, but I don’t think he had a good game… sure, he let a lot go, but he also made many wrong calls, including a Sims shot being tipped over the bar by the ‘keeper for a… goal kick. While it didn’t directly cause our defeat, I think it certainly played a factor.

WE. ARE. STAYING. UP. SAY… I know that feels a bit “tinpot” to say, but I’m delighted that we’re staying up. A lot of us had mid table ambitions for the season, some even higher – a topsy turvy season has led to playoff hopes, and relegation fears, but in the end it all worked out ok – another season of National League football confirmed, the target has been achieved. Now the next step is to build, and grow, which I’m confident we can do with the right backing and recruitment. Let’s continue to back the boys, and get behind the club as a collective going into next season!

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The Easter double header came to a close in similar fashion to the Christmas double header, as a narrow defeat at Eastleigh left Yeovil frustrated. Let’s see what else went on across the division…

There were goals galore across the league on Monday, and we’ll begin with two 3-2 thrillers – Solihull Moors came from behind to defeat Boston United, with a 97th minute winner from James Clarke sealing three important points for the Moors – former Glover Tahvon Campbell came off the bench to equalise for the hosts during the comeback. In the other result, Hartlepool United put a massive dent in Gateshead’s playoff hopes, despite the best efforts of the visitors, to climb into the top half of the table.

Next, we head to Kent, where last placed Ebbsfleet United were swept aside by a purring Southend United in a 4-0 game, three goals in the last half hour burying the game well and truly. Top of the table Barnet took a giant leap towards the National League title in a 3-1 win away at Saturday’s visitors Sutton United; the Bees need just a single point from their remaining two games to secure the silverware.

The goals kept coming too, as there were three 3-0 results; Altrincham kept their playoff ambitions alive with a huge win away to a depleted FC Halifax Town, a double from Regan Linney contributing to the Shay’s third loss in five, while a 13 minute blitz at The New Lawn for Forest Green Rovers all but ended Tamworth’s late playoff charge. In the lunchtime kickoff, it was a FA Trophy semi-final replay, and this time Woking ensured they were victorious, leading 3-0 within 20 minutes against a shell-shocked Aldershot Town.

York City were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Oldham Athletic, all but ending their title hopes as even their chairman admitted on the platform formerly known as Twitter… the draw did confirm the Latics’ place in the playoffs at the very least. At the other end of the table, Wealdstone and Maidenhead United played out a nervy 1-1 draw, a result that changed nothing in the grand scheme of things, as Dagenham & Redbridge contested a 0-0 draw at Braintree Town. Finally, Rochdale followed their touching tributes to former player Joe Thompson with a 0-0 draw at home to relegated AFC Fylde.

National League results – in full

Woking 3-0 Aldershot Town
Braintree Town 0-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Eastleigh 1-0 Yeovil Town
Ebbsfleet United 0-4 Southend United
FC Halifax Town 0-3 Altrincham
Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Tamworth
Hartlepool United 3-2 Gateshead
Rochdale 0-0 AFC Fylde
Solihull Moors 3-2 Boston United
Sutton United 1-3 Barnet
Wealdstone 1-1 Maidenhead United
York City 1-1 Oldham Athletic

National League table

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It was late heartbreak for the Glovers on Good Friday, as a 91st minute Ryan Inniss goal spared Forest Green’s blushes at Huish Park in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in the lunchtime televised kickoff, as York City defeated playoff contenders Gateshead to keep themselves well and truly in the title hunt. The hosts opened the scoring, but three goals without reply from the Minstermen secured a 3-1 win on their travels. Maidenhead United continued their brave battle against relegation, as they were pegged back by Woking to tie 2-2, the result leaves the Magpies four points off safety with nine to play for.

There were three 2-1 results, all with varying levels of drama; in a massive game for the playoff picture, Rochdale won away at Altrincham, with an 89th minute Devante Rodney goal securing the points for the visitors. Solihull Moors won a second consecutive game, as they came from behind at Tamworth, an 87th minute winner from Alex Whitmore giving the Moors a much needed confidence boost, while Oldham Athletic came from behind at home to beat Hartlepool United.

Boston United continued their impressive resurgence in front of a stadium record attendance, a Frankie Maguire double ensured the three points stayed in Lincolnshire, as they defeated Wealdstone. In the evening televised kickoff, Barnet‘s title celebrations continue to be put on hold as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monday’s hosts Eastleigh, while Aldershot Town and Sutton United shared the points at the Recreation Ground.

Following their ownership/funding debacle, Dagenham & Redbridge secured possibly the biggest win of their season, as an 87th minute Josh Umerah penalty defeated relegated Ebbsfleet United. The first team to join Ebbsfleet was confirmed, as AFC Fylde lost 1-0 at home to playoff hunters FC Halifax Town, ending their two year stay in the fifth division and condemning them to the National League North. Finally, Southend United and Braintree Town played out a 0-0 draw.

National League results – in full

Gateshead 1-3 York City
AFC Fylde 0-1 FC Halifax Town (Fylde are relegated)
Aldershot Town 1-1 Sutton United
Altrincham 1-2 Rochdale
Boston United 2-0 Wealdstone
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United 2-2 Woking
Oldham Athletic 2-1 Hartlepool United
Southend United 0-0 Braintree Town
Tamworth 1-2 Solihull Moors
Yeovil Town 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Barnet 1-1 Eastleigh

National League table

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This weekend, Yeovil Town found themselves on the correct end of a 2-1 win, as a Sonny Blu Lo-Everton double downed Oldham Athletic. Let’s take a look at what else went on in a hectic afternoon for the division!

We begin in Yorkshire, where the only opposition to Barnet’s title claims, York City, stuck 7 (Seven) past a sorry Aldershot Town, who finished the game with 10 men; Ollie Pearce scored a hat trick to take his league tally to 30 for the season, with Lewis Richardson chipping in with a double himself to extend the title race by a week. In another exciting, competitive fixture, Tamworth defeated Braintree Town, the hosts leading 3-2 at half-time before a late goal from Dan Creaney ensured the Lambs finished the game with all three points in an impressive return to the fifth division.

There were goals galore across the weekend, with two more sides hitting four – relegated Ebbsfleet United put four past Sutton United, as they continue their preparations for next season in the National League South, while Rochdale tucked four away at home to Eastleigh, keeping a clean sheet in the process; Kyle Ferguson made an appearance from the bench following his recall earlier in the day, playing 11 minutes.

The goals kept coming in the evening kickoff, as Gateshead clung on to take all three points back north against Yeovil’s next opponents, Forest Green Rovers. The Heed raced into a 3-0 lead, before a bizarre own goal and a Christian Dodge effort gave the hosts hope, but it was too little too late. Just when you think they’re down and out, Maidenhead United continue to surprise everyone – they travelled to FC Halifax Town and left as 2-0 victors, late goals from Sam Barrett and Shawn McCoulsky defeating a depleted Halifax.

Late goals rescued points for relegation battlers, as Dagenham & Redbridge salvaged a point at home to 10-man Hartlepool United, while in a lunchtime London derby, Wealdstone scored in the 80th minute to delay Barnet’s title celebrations for a weekend longer. There were three 1-0 wins to wrap things up, with Woking all but confirming that AFC Fylde will become the second relegated side this season, former Glover Dale Gorman bagging the only goal of the game, while Boston United jumped even closer to safety with a win at home to Altrincham, and finally Solihull Moors won on their travels in Jerry Gill’s first game as Interim Assistant Head Coach, as they defeated Southend United.

National League results – in full

Barnet 1-1 Wealdstone
Boston United 1-0 Altrincham
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Hartlepool United
Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Sutton United
FC Halifax Town 0-2 Maidenhead United
Rochdale 4-0 Eastleigh
Southend United 0-1 Solihull Moors
Tamworth 4-2 Braintree Town
Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde
Yeovil Town 2-1 Oldham Athletic
York City 7-2 Aldershot Town
Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Gateshead

National League table

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It was further heartbreak for Yeovil Town, as a late winner condemned the Glovers to defeat at Altrincham in a 2-1 loss. Let’s see what else went on in a busy day for the division’s sides…

We begin in County Durham, as a 94th minute winner from Sam Folarin rescued a victory for Hartlepool United over bottom side Ebbsfleet United in a 3-2 thriller, the hosts were made to work for their win as they were twice pegged back by their visiting opposition. There were big results in the relegation battle on Saturday, as Maidenhead United secured a huge 3-1 win at home against Tamworth, leaving them two points off safety and harming the Lambs’ playoff ambitions in the process, while AFC Fylde’s route to safety became a lot harder following a home defeat to title hunting York City.

There were slip ups for the other two sides in the top three to bottom half opponents, as Braintree Town continued a great end to their season under Steve Pitt with a 2-1 win over league leaders Barnet, ending their 25 league game unbeaten run in the process, while Wealdstone hero Alex Reid’s double downed Forest Green Rovers, both victors coming from behind to win their matches. Gateshead ended a run of eight league games without a win as they defeated relegation candidates Dagenham & Redbridge in a 2-1 result. Sutton United secured a point with a 94th minute Ashley Nadesan equaliser against Southend United, while an 89th minute equaliser from Tomas Galvin meant FC Halifax Town left Eastleigh with a point from the evening kickoff, both games ending in 1-1 ties.

Finally, there were three National League sides in FA Trophy action, and there was plenty of drama in both ties! Aldershot Town ensured they would make their first appearance at Wembley, coming from behind in controversial circumstances to defeat Woking 2-1. Cards midfielder Harry Beautyman was sent off for “elbowing” an opponent defender, with Lewis Walker nabbing a goal for the depleted visitors, but a James Henry penalty and a 92nd minute Jack Barham winner sent the Shots to the final.

In the other tie, Rochdale were pegged back twice by National League North side Spennymoor Town, before being knocked out on penalties. Devante Rodney gave the hosts the lead in the 48th minute, three minutes later Finley Shrimpton equalised for the visitors, before an Aidan Barlow penalty handed Rochdale the lead another three minutes later. Spennymoor kept themselves in contention with a dramatic 95th minute equaliser from Aidan Rutledge, before burying all five of their penalties during the shootout. Tarryn Allarakhia missed for the Dale, sending the Moors to Wembley and ensuring a first non all-National League final since Hornchurch won in 2020/21.

National League results – in full

AFC Fylde 1-3 York City
Altrincham 2-1 Yeovil Town
Braintree Town 2-1 Barnet
Gateshead 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool United 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United 3-1 Tamworth
Sutton United 1-1 Southend United
Wealdstone 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Eastleigh 1-1 FC Halifax Town

FA Trophy Quarter Final results (NL teams in bold)

Aldershot Town 2-1 Woking
Rochdale 2-2 Spennymoor Town (Spennymoor win 5-4 on pens)

National League table

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Harvey Greenslade made it two wins on the bounce for Yeovil, as they defeated AFC Fylde at home in a 1-0 win, let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in Greater Manchester, where Rochdale sent Aldershot Town packing in an impressive 4-0 showing, boosting their playoff hopes while putting an end to Aldershot’s good run of form. The top two registered home wins in style too, as Barnet defeated Gateshead 3-1, while York City beat Wealdstone 3-0 to keep pace with the leaders.

Following their relegation to the National League South, Ebbsfleet United dusted themselves off to register a credible point at home to Altrincham, whose playoff hopes continue to fade in a 2-2 draw. In Lincolnshire, a 92nd minute James Gale goal lifted Boston United out of the drop zone for the first time since September with a 2-1 win against Sutton United, while Woking held on for all three points at home to Braintree Town. Tamworth staked their late claim for involvement in the playoff picture with an impressive 2-0 win over 10-man Eastleigh.

The remaining fixtures all finished in 1-0 scorelines, with the biggest result being at the bottom. Dagenham & Redbridge put a massive dent in Maidenhead United’s survival hopes with a home win. In the two televised fixtures, both home teams were victorious, with an Adam May screamer separating Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors, and Keenan Appiah-Forson proving the difference between Southend United and Oldham Athletic. Finally, Hartlepool United registered the only away victory of the day, as they left Yorkshire with all three points against FC Halifax Town.

National League results – in full

Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Solihull Moors
Barnet 3-1 Gateshead
Boston United 2-1 Sutton United
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Maidenhead United
Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Altrincham
FC Halifax Town 0-1 Hartlepool United
Rochdale 4-0 Aldershot Town
Tamworth 2-0 Eastleigh
Woking 2-1 Braintree Town
Yeovil Town 1-0 AFC Fylde
York City 3-0 Wealdstone
Southend United 1-0 Oldham Athletic

National League table

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A first win in five (in emphatic style no less) saw Yeovil leave the Midlands with all three points in a 3-0 win at Solihull Moors. Let’s see what the rest of the league got up to…

We begin at Aldershot Town, where Ebbsfleet United were confirmed as the first team to be relegated from the National League, following an entertaining 3-3 draw. The bottom placed side actually went into half-time 3-2 up, but a second half penalty by Tyler Frost ensured the points were shared, and sent the Fleet down to the National League South, ending a two year spell in the top flight of non-league football.

Hartlepool United ended Boston United’s six match unbeaten run with a big 4-1 win at home, ending their own torrid run of eight games without a win. It was a momentous day for the top of the table, with plenty of teams dropping points, two of which were former title contenders Forest Green Rovers and York City. The Gloucestershire outfit were handily defeated 3-0 away at AFC Fylde, while the Minstermen came unstuck in Essex, falling to a 2-1 defeat against an impressive Braintree Town side.

The playoff chase continues for Southend United, as they won 2-1 at Eastleigh to sit one point outside the post-season spots, while Oldham Athletic looked to close the gap on those above with a 2-0 win against fellow playoff hopefuls FC Halifax Town. Tamworth spoiled the party for Frank Nouble’s Gateshead as they left Tyne and Wear with all three points in a 2-0 win, while points were shared between Maidenhead United and Rochdale, and Sutton United and Dagenham & Redbridge.

There was late drama at Grosvenor Vale, as Kallum Cesay scored a 95th minute winner for Wealdstone, as they defeated Woking, while Barnet continued their march to the National League title with a 1-0 win against Altrincham in front of the DAZN cameras, courtesy of another Rhys Browne goal.

 

National League results – in full

Sutton United 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
AFC Fylde 3-0 Forest Green Rovers
Aldershot Town 3-3 Ebbsfleet United (Ebbsfleet are relegated)
Braintree Town 2-1 York City
Eastleigh 1-2 Southend United
Gateshead 0-2 Tamworth
Hartlepool United 4-1 Boston United
Maidenhead United 1-1 Rochdale
Oldham Athletic 2-0 FC Halifax Town
Solihull Moors 0-3 Yeovil Town
Wealdstone 1-0 Woking
Altrincham 0-1 Barnet

National League table

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It was a narrow 1-0 defeat on Saturday for Yeovil, as they hosted playoff locks York City. Let’s see what else went on across the league on a sunny Saturday…

We begin in London, where a dream comeback went down, a “Wealdston-bul” if you will… Wealdstone came from 3-0 down at half time to tie 3-3 with Eastleigh. A double from Ludwig Francillette and a Tyrese Shade goal gave the Spitfires the lead, before a spirited comeback featuring a Tyler Walker opener and two Alex Reid goals meant the two sides shared the points.

Things went from bad to worse for Dagenham & Redbridge, as despite taking the lead in the first half, they went on to have a man sent off, and lose the game 3-1 to Tamworth, as Dan Creaney scored his 100th goal for the visiting Rams. FC Halifax Town scored three without reply as they strengthened their grip on a playoff spot with a win away to Sutton United. Southend United continued their good form with a 2-2 draw at Forest Green Rovers, the Shrimpers twice coming from behind to take their point.

Aldershot Town continued their recent uptick in form with a massive 2-1 win at Altrincham, lifting the visitors to 16th while the hosts drifted further from the playoff spots. In perhaps the upset of the day, Gateshead were defeated 2-0 at home by relegation-threatened Maidenhead United, the win lifted the Magpies out of the drop zone.

Both 1-1 results came in televised affairs, as the lunchtime kickoff saw two playoff hunters share the points in a derby day, as a late Vimal Yoganathan equaliser saw Oldham Athletic spare their blushes at home to Rochdale, while Manny Duku made it three goals in two games for Solihull Moors, grabbing a point away at Hartlepool United, former Glover Tom Parkes getting the goal for the hosts.

It took them 34 games (yes I went and counted), but it’s finally over… Ebbsfleet United won a football match. They defeated AFC Fylde at home in a 1-0 win, which prevented what feels like an inevitable relegation until next week. Boston United continued to stage their great escape with a 1-0 win away at Braintree Town, moving the Pilgrims to within three points of safety, with games in hand, while Barnet continued their title charge with a 1-0 win away at Woking, former Glover Rhys Browne finding himself on the scoresheet.

 

National League results – in full

Oldham Athletic 1-1 Rochdale
Altrincham 1-2 Aldershot Town
Braintree Town 0-1 Boston United
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Tamworth
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 AFC Fylde
Forest Green Rovers 2-2 Southend United
Gateshead 0-2 Maidenhead United
Sutton United 0-3 FC Halifax Town
Wealdstone 3-3 Eastleigh
Woking 0-1 Barnet
Yeovil Town 0-1 York City
Hartlepool United 1-1 Solihull Moors

National League table