National League Review | Wrexham Go Top

Photo: Wrexham AFC

Wrexham took a major step forward in their bid to win the National League title by beating rivals Stockport Country 3-0 at home. The win means that the Dragons leapfrogged the Hatters to go top of the table on goal difference, although Stockport have a game in hand.

It was a predictably frantic game at the Racecourse Stadium with Stockport looking the better team early on with Miles Hippolyte wasting a good chance for the visitors to go ahead. However, Wrexham clung on and Ollie Palmer scored a header in the 34th minute. 

This gave Wrexham the confidence to press forward more and top-scorer Paul Mullins scored the second 12 minutes later. When Palmer scored a header for Wrexham early in the second half, it left too much for Stockport to do and the Dragons looked comfortable for much of the second half. 

While Wrexham now have the advantage, Stockport still have their fate in their hands as the Hatters just need four points from their upcoming games against Torquay and Halifax Town to claim the title.

The race for the play-offs

If Wrexham or Stockport slip up now, they will enter the play-offs with Solihull Moors, Halifax, Notts County, and two of either Grimsby, Chesterfield, Dagenham and Redbridge, or Boreham Wood.

Solihull Moors made it their fourth win in a row when they beat fellow promotion-hopefuls Dagenham and Redbridge 3-1 at home. Goals in the first half from Callum Howe, Callum Maycock and Alex Gudger earned the three points for Solihull despite the sending off of Jamey Osborne in the 23rd minute.

An 86th minute goal from Mikael Ndkoli earned Aldershot Town a point away at high-flying Halifax Town, while Notts County picked up three points from Aldershot courtesy of goals from Callum Roberts, Kyle Wooton and Ruben Rodrigues. 

Grimsby suffered a nasty home defeat 1-3 to Maidenhead United. Defender, Luke Waterfall, had the worst time of all after scoring an own goal, then getting sent off which lead Maidenhead going two-up courtesy of a Sam Barratt penalty. Ryan Upward scored the third for Maidenhead in the second half, and while Tristan Abrahams scored a consolation goal late on, Grimsby’s game against Boreham Wood on Tuesday will be hugely significant. 

Boreham Wood will be desperate to bounce back from losing points against Yeovil. Despite Boreham going 2-0 up early on thanks to goals from Tyrone Marsh and Dennon Lewis, Yeovil scored twice in quick succession in the second half and both sides came away with a point apiece.

Elsewhere Torquay United beat Chesterfield 2-0 at home and Eastleigh earned a hard-fought 2-1 away win over Woking. Wealdstone beat the already-relegated King’s Lynn Town 2-1 while Barnet beat Weymouth 2-1. Finally, there was good news for Dover Athletic as they drew 2-2 away at Bromley to finally have a positive points tally.