By Steven Oldham Cover photo: DIA Images Chorley vs AFC Fylde

Chorley dispatch depleted AFC Fylde

Chorley picked up a first win in four matches with a 2-0 victory over National League North leaders AFC Fylde, who played for over an hour with nine men after two early red cards.

Max Taylor was sent off after just nine minutes, and Tom Whelan also received his marching orders before the first half was even at the halfway point.

A goal in either half from Sam Bird and Mark Ellis wrapped up the points for the Victory Park side. Andy Preece’s side gained a measure of revenge for their 1-0 Boxing Day defeat in the reverse fixture.

Despite this setback, The Coasters remain three points clear at the top of the table after title contenders South Shields couldn’t fully capitalise with a 1-1 draw at local rivals Spennymoor Town.

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🗣️ “Each and every single one of them did everything for the badge today.”

📺 A proud Craig Mahon on today’s game. ⤵️#BornToBeFylde pic.twitter.com/BG42xLpzL8

— AFC Fylde (@AFCFylde) April 3, 2026

Midtable Chorley may have left it too late for a playoff push, but a strong result against the league leaders should spur them on as they aim to end the season with a flourish.

Craig Mahon’s Fylde side may have played one more game than South Shields, but they do hold a three goal advantage in goal difference, meaning the North East side will need to win big to overtake the Lancashire side on that metric.

Macclesfield edge closer to guaranteeing playoffs

Macclesfield picked up a fourth straight win while beating Buxton 4-2 in their own back yard and all but assuring themselves a playoff position.

The visitors won both halves 2-1, but it was The Bucks who opened the scoring early doors – with Cian Coleman netting after just seven minutes. Macc captain Paul Dawson brought his side level six minutes later from the penalty spot after Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was fouled in the box.

Dawson added a second 20 minutes later, but Buxton would again strike back with the first goal of the second half – with George Ward pulling his side back into contention on 56 minutes.

Elliot Osborne’s volley restored Macclesfield’s lead with 20 minutes left to play – and Luke Duffy’s driven shot sealed the deal shortly afterwards.

John Rooney’s side are nine points above the dotted line and hold games in hand on all the teams around them, so barring an almighty collapse, Macc’s season will continue while others are planning their summer holidays.

Buxton have dropped to 11th, but remain with a shout of the playoffs, currently sitting five points behind.

Back-to-back wins for Chester

Chester leapfrogged AFC Telford United in the table and are up to ninth after a 2-1 win at The Deva Stadium.

Two second half goals wrapped up the points for the home side – it took 66 minutes to break the deadlock, with Dylan Mottley-Henry scoring for the third successive home match.

Telford were level almost immediately through a Declan Weeks own goal, but Phil Croker’s header nine minutes from time secured all three points. The visiting Ammar Dyer’s dismissal for two yellows on 86 minutes left his side a man short for the closing stages.

Interim Chester manager Connell Rawlinson now has four wins in six games under his belt as the Cheshire side look to gatecrash the playoffs. They currently sit in ninth place, two places and two points below the cut-off.

Southport win Merseyside battle

Southport put their FA Trophy disappointment behind them with a 2-1 win over fellow beaten semi-finalists Marine in front of a bumper crowd of 3,176.

Malakai McKenzie won it for the home side with seven minutes remaining, after Charlie Jolley’s tap in had cancelled out Luke Griffiths’ stunning first half free kick.

Neil Danns’ in-form side moved to within a point of the Crosby side, albeit having played two more games than the visitors here. The Sandgrounders have won six of their last seven league matches.

It’s lucky 13th for Marine at the minute, who remain on track to record their highest ever league position following their 15th placed finish in their debut Step 2 season last year.

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Curzon Ashton snare a vital point in added time

Curzon Ashton will be the happier of the sides after battling back from two goals down to snatch a vital point in a 3-3 draw with Radcliffe.

Rio Clegg put the home side ahead on 31 minutes, and his goal separated the two sides as they left the field at half time. Tony Weston pulled one back for the visitors shortly after the restart, but Clegg’s second of the afternoon followed just before the hour.

Lois Maynard showed no signs of jetlag after returning from international duty with St Kitts and Nevis, and fired Radcliffe into a 3-1 lead with 20 to play – but Curzon would bag themselves an unlikely point with two goals from substitutes in added time.

🗣️ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘…

Manager Adam Barton reflects on a dramatic afternoon against @radcliffeboro.

Full interview to follow.#UTN | #TheNash pic.twitter.com/T6sCG193oS

— Curzon Ashton (@CurzonAshton) April 3, 2026

Jimmy Spencer pulled one back on 90+2 minutes, before Ruben Curley made the travelling Nash fans’ day with his equaliser two minutes later.

The Tameside outfit aren’t safe yet, but are seven points clear of the drop zone despite no win in nine attempts, although this result will feel like a win. Radcliffe’s own winless streak is now up to eight games, having picked up just two points in that timeframe.

National League North results

• Alfreton Town 1-1 Worksop
• Bedford Town 3-1 Leamington
• Buxton 2-4 Macclesfield
• Chester 2-1 AFC Telford United
• Chorley 2-0 AFC Fylde
• Darlington 1-2 Scarborough Athletic
• Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Hereford
• Merthyr Town 1-1 Oxford City
• Peterborough Sports 2-2 King’s Lynn Town
• Radcliffe 3-3 Curzon Ashton
• Southport 2-1 Marine
• Spennymoor Town 1-1 South Shields

The Skipper with that last minute winner 🎯👏

Thanks to @seadogsontour 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6gh13iGz7s

— Scarborough Athletic FC (@safc) April 3, 2026

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