Wrexham lose their bottle in the National League title race, as Gateshead and Brackley continue their battle, while the writing looks to be on the wall for Billericay Town.
By Amos Murphy
For the second consecutive week, Wrexham failed to capitalise on a Stockport County defeat, as their hopes of finishing the National League season as champions begin to disappear.
Playing in the late kick-off on Saturday afternoon, chasers Wrexham were looking to cut the gap at the top of the table to four points, having rejoiced at Stockport’s second defeat in a week.
This time falling at the hands of Yeovil Town, 10-man Stockport were forced to watch on with fear as Wrexham travelled to mid-table Woking in the televised evening fixture.
Despite taking the lead through a Tyreke Johnson own goal at the end of the first half, a Max Kretzschmar penalty and a late Jamar Loza strike compounded Wrexham’s misery.
A victory for the Red Dragons would’ve allowed them to go top of the National League before Stockport next kicked a ball. Instead, Wrexham looked confined to the playoffs, as Phil Parkinson’s side eye up a Football League return.
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Just when it looks as if one of Gateshead or Brackley are beginning to get their noses out in front, a slip-up allows the other to regain control, during what has been a relentless National League North title race.
Two points is the difference at the top of the table, with Gateshead’s weekend draw away to Kettering Town handing Brackley Town a route back into the title race.
A disappointing Easter weekend for Brackley looked as if it was going to end their title hopes, but this recent twist has left it all to play for in the final three games of the season.
Gateshead have a difficult end to the season ahead of them, with clashes against Southport, Chorley and Hereford ahead.
As for Brackley, their remaining fixtures appear more favourable on paper, with Blyth Spartans, Hereford and Chester to come.
Time is beginning to run out for Billericay Town, as the club at the foot of the National League South stare down the barrel of relegation.
A run of five straight defeats has extinguished hopes of survival for Billericay, with the points drying up for the Essex-based outfit.
Remarkably, despite their desperate form in the National League South, Billericay do harbour some hopes of avoiding the drop, with Welling United just two points above the Blues.
While Welling are also in the midst of a winless streak, two draws in their previous three matches has seen United keep their heads above ground, only just.
Victories are the only currency Billericay can afford to deal in at this late stage of the season, with relegation looking like the most likely scenario from hereon in.
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