Salford City are still top by three points, however, they have played a game more than the Quakers. At the weekend they overcame Clitheroe, 2-1, in front an impressive crowd of 726. Goals from Danny Webber and Gareth Seddon put the Ammies in control in the first half. Clitheroe came back into the game when Joseph Mullen scored in the 71^st minute, but Salford were able to hold on for the victory.

Northwich Victoria are third and need just one win from their final two games to guarantee a home playoff semi-final. Scarborough Athletic came away from Northwich with a surprise victory last weekend, 3-2. Iain Howard put the Vics ahead in the first-half. However, two goals in two minutes from Ryan Blott and Gary Bradshaw turned the game in the Seadogs favour.  Richard Bennett levelled for Northwich, but Thomas Corner won the game for Scarborough in the final ten minutes.

Northwich bounced back in mid-week with a comfortable win at Kendal Town, 3-0. Callum Henry, Stuart Cook and Howard the scorers.

Bamber Bridge are in fourth place, but could finish ahead of Northwich in third which would give them a home playoff game. They overcame promotion rivals Spennymoor Town, 2-1, last Saturday. Spennymoor had taken a lead in the fifth minute when Andrew Stephenson opened the scoring. However, second half goals from Darren Green and Chris Marlow gave Bamber the win.

Spennymoor themselves are all but mathematically guaranteed a top five spot now, sitting six points clear of Mossley and Scarborough with a much superior goal difference. They drew 0-0 at home to Lancaster on Tuesday, a result which keeps them two points behind Bamber Bridge. If they are unable to overtake them, it would mean their playoff semi-final would be away to either Salford City or Darlington.

Mossley’s faint playoff hopes were ended in mid-week. Following their defeat at Darlington they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Harrogate RA.  Mal Farquharson gave the visitors the lead with Kyle McGonigle levelling the score. Vincent Dhesi regained the lead for Harrogate, but Thomas Pratt salvaged a point for the hosts late on.

Scarborough’s playoff hopes were also ended on Tuesday night, when they drew 1-1 away to Warrington Town. Daniel Clayton gave Scarborough the lead inside the opening twenty minutes. However, Antony Hickey levelled for the Wire in the 68^th minute.

Warrington themselves could have a significant say at the top, as they face Darlington next Tuesday night. They were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday away to Brighouse Town.

At the other end of the table Padiham made it back-to-back wins, however, they remain bottom of the league. Daley Woods scored a stoppage time winner at home to Ossett Albion, as they ran out 1-0 winners.  They are four points behind second bottom New Mills.

It was confirmed that New Mills will finish in the bottom two of the league this week. They won 2-0 at home to Kendal Town on Saturday thanks to goals from James Hampson and Tunde Owolabi. However, they fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Brighouse Town on Monday, James Hurtley scoring a double for the visitors.  Despite the current problems for several sides in the First Division South the league has confirmed it will not affect any side at the bottom of our division.

Prescot Cables confirmed their position in the league for next season in emphatic style with a 4-0 win against Farsley. Neil Prince, James Jenkins and a double from Jack Phillips sealed their safety  for another season.

Likewise Radcliffe Borough will be in the Evo-Stik league next season after winning not just their first, but two away games this week. Having not won away from home all season they won twice in four days, both 1-0. On Saturday Sam McMahon scored the only goal at Harrogate RA. They followed that up on Tuesday, as Steve Foster got the goal away to Ossett Town.

Darlington’s next opponents Lancaster comfortably beat Droylsden 4-0 on Saturday. Joshua Draycott, Simon Wearing, Matthew Poole and Ryan Winder with the goals.

Ossett Town and Burscough drew 2-2 on Saturday, Ed Toner scoring both for Burscough including the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

The final game in the league this week saw Clitheroe and Farsley play out a 0-0 draw on Tuesday.

Darlington face two tough away games this week, both of which are must win games in the title race. On Saturday we travel to Lancaster City, before going to Warrington Town on Tuesday night.

Salford City play their final away game of the season on Saturday at Burscough.

Fixtures Saturday 18^th April

Burscough v Salford City

Farsley v Kendal Town

Lancaster City v Darlington

Mossley v Clitheroe

New Mills v Bamber Bridge

Northwich Victoria v Harrogate RA

Ossett Town v Droylsden

Prescot Cables v Brighouse Town

Radcliffe Borough v Spennymoor Town

Scarborough Athletic v Padiham

Warrington Town v Ossett Albion