League leaders Salford had only previously lost twice in the league all season, but suffered back-to-back defeats over the weekend.  On Saturday, they lost 3-0 at home to playoff chasing Chorley. Nicholas Haughton, Marcus Carver and Joshua O’Keefe scored the goals in a 23 minute spell either side of half time for the visitors.

On Tuesday they twice led against local rivals FC United of Manchester, but again were defeated. Richard Allen and Lois Maynard both put Salford ahead. However, goals from Connor Mccarthy and Zac Corbett levelled. With a late goal from player/manager Thomas Greaves earning FC United a 3-2 win.

Salford remain six points ahead of Harrogate and Brackley. Before their loss at Blackwell Meadows Harrogate won 3-0 at home to bottom of the table North Ferriby United. Terry Kennedy scored twice along with a goal from Joe Leesley.

Brackley will have been disappointed to have only got two points from their two games. On Saturday they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Telford United. Marcus Dinanga gave Telford the lead, with Glenn Walker earning a point in injury time for Brackley.

On Boxing Day though it was Brackley who suffered late heartache at Leamington. The hosts had taken the lead through Colby Bishop before goals from Walker and Aaron Williams put Brackley in control. However, Jamie Hood earned a 2-2 draw for Leamington in injury time.

Blyth Spartans are a further five points behind Brackley and Harrogate, but had a mixed weekend with one win and one loss. They had an impressive 3-2 win at York on Saturday. Despite Jon Parkin scoring twice for York, goals from Sean Reid, Adam Wrightson and Greg Rutherford earned Blyth the three points.

However, Blyth would be on the other end a 3-2 score line on Tuesday when they faced playoff rivals Spennymoor Town. Nathan Buddle and Kieran Green twice put Blyth ahead, but Glen Taylor, Mark Anderson and Chris Mason’s stoppage time strike earned the Brewers all the points.

Spennymoor are a point behind Blyth in sixth place, but will feel they should be above them as they threw away two points on Saturday at home to FC United of Manchester. Ryan Hall scored twice, along with goals from Rob Ramshaw and Taylor to at one stage put the Brewers 4-1 ahead. However, a dramatic comeback saw FC United a 4-4 draw thanks to a double from Mccarthy and strikes from Jordan Fagbola and Craig Lindfield.

Bradford Park Avenue are sandwiched in between the North East duo in fifth place after two impressive victories. On Saturday they won 4-0 at struggling Southport thanks to two from Adam Boyes along with goals from Nicholas Clee and Lee Knight.

They then won a dramatic game at home to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday. The game was 0-0 with seven minutes to go, before Wayne Brooksby put Bradford ahead, with Naill Cummins levelling just minutes later for Curzon. However, Brooksby scored his second along with a stoppage time goal from Oliver Johnson to earned Bradford the 3-1 win.

Kidderminster Harriers sit in the final playoff place after picking up four points this week. Emmanuel Sonupe, Joe Ironside and Liam Truslove earned them a 3-0 victory over Nuneaton on Saturday, before they drew 0-0 at Telford United on Tuesday.

After Chorley’s impressive victory at Salford on Saturday they will have been disappointed to have been held to a 0-0 draw at home to Southport on Boxing Day who have now slipped to second bottom in the league table.

Stockport County are just two points off the playoffs after earning four points this week. On Saturday they were held to a 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton. Darren Stephenson gave County the early lead, before Niall Cummins earned a point for Curzon from the penalty spot.

On Tuesday Kallum Mantack scored the only goal for County just before half time as they won at home to Alfreton Town 1-0.

York City picked up a much needed win yesterday, as they beat bottom of the table North Ferriby 4-1. Veteran Parkin scored a hat-trick, with Jonathan Burn netting York’s other goal, Carl Stewart scored the hosts consolation.

Tamworth have fallen away from the playoff spots after two heavy defeats. On Saturday a Colby Bishop double and a Callum Gittings strike earned Leamington a 3-0 win away to Tamworth. Before the Lambs then lost 4-1 at struggling Nuneaton. Tom Elliot, Jordan Nicholson and two from Ashley Chambers put Nuneaton four up inside the first half an hour, with an own goal in the second half being the only positive for Tamworth. They are now 11^th four points behind Kidderminster.

Alfreton Town are only outside of the relegation places on goal difference after two defeats this weekend. Before their loss at Stockport, they lost a huge game 3-2 at home to Boston United. Ashley Hemmings scored two early penalties to put the Pilgrims in control. Before Euan Mulhern and Craig Westcarr levelled for Alfreton. However, they would leave empty handed as Jordan Keane scored with ten minutes to play for Boston.

Boston followed that up with another impressive victory over Gainsborough Trinity. Jay Rollins and Bradley Abbott with the goals in a 2-0 win either side of half time. The six points have moved Boston all the way up to 14^th place, five points off the bottom three.