By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Morecambe FC

Morecambe boost National League survival hopes

Relegation-threatened Morecambe picked up a sensational 4-2 win at National League leaders Rochdale on Good Friday to reduce the gap to safety to six points – and inadvertently cause Rochdale to lose their table-topping status.

Second half goals from Lewis Payne, Jack Nolan and Ben Tollitt secured a first win in five attempts for Jim Bentley’s men.

Aidan Barlow looked to have set Rochdale on the path to victory when he opened the scoring after 19 minutes, but the sides went in level thanks to Payne’s first of the afternoon just after the half hour.

READ MORE: Chorley beat NLN league leaders AFC Fylde 2-0

The game remained level until midway through the second half, with Payne silencing the majority of the 4,183 in attendance at the Crown Oil Arena by converting his short range effort past Oli Whatmuff on 66 minutes.

Nolan extended The Shrimps lead with a powerful header on 73 minutes, before sub Ian Henderson pulled one back for the hosts. Tyler Smith was unlucky not to etch his name on the scoresheet, having a goal chalked off for offside and being denied an equaliser by staunch Morecambe defending in the closing stages.

Ben Tollitt’s fourth deep into added time added further gloss to what could prove a priceless victory for Morecambe, as a shellshocked Rochdale fell to a first home defeat in 2026. The visitors climb to 22nd place following Braintree Town’s 3-2 loss at FA Trophy finalists Southend United.

Ramifications for Rochdale in promotion race

York City – who visit Rochdale on the final day of the season – are back on top of the pile thanks to their superior goal difference, with both sides well clear of the rest on 98 points.

The Minstermen picked up three points and another clean sheet in their 1-0 win at Boston United – and they hold an imposing 23-goal advantage over their title rivals in the GD column.

Rochdale’s task in the last four matches is simple – pick up more points than Stuart Maynard’s men. An Easter Monday trip to Hartlepool United is their first opportunity to bounce back.

Thank you to everyone who supported us this afternoon 👏

We regroup and go again Monday.#rafc pic.twitter.com/YMxudVt1QG

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) April 3, 2026

Stalemate for Carlisle United

Play-off bound Carlisle United were held to a goalless draw at Brunton Park by a much-improved Gateshead side.

Stephen Wearne had the ball in the back of the net for The Blues in the first ten minutes, but he was deemed to be offside, as was Ashley Boatswain even earlier for Rob Elliot’s visitors.

Mark Hughes’ side cruised to a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, but were unable to break the visitors down here, who pull six points clear of the drop zone following their dramatic upturn in form in recent months.

The Cumbrian side remain on track to take third place, but Boreham Wood close to within four points after their 5-1 rout over Wealdstone.

"That's football sometimes, you move on quickly." 💬

Mark Hughes assesses the draw with Gateshead.

— Carlisle United (@officialcufc) April 3, 2026

Late defeat for Altrincham

Elsewhere, Altrincham have dropped to 16th place in the standings after a late, late 1-0 home loss to playoff-chasing FC Halifax Town.

Neil Gibson’s side looked on track for a point until Jay Turner-Cooke’s injury time intervention in the fourth of six added on minutes.

Alty have now gone four games without a win, and although virtually safe, sit 10 points ahead of the bottom four with 12 points to play for.

🗣️ An extremely disappointed Neil Gibson this afternoon 👇

(Full @AltyTV post-match over on the website very soon)#Alty pic.twitter.com/LQDzGnbB2d

— Altrincham FC (@altrinchamfc) April 3, 2026

National League results

• Aldershot Town 2-2 Sutton United
• Altrincham 0-1 FC Halifax Town
• Boreham Wood 5-1 Wealdstone
• Boston United 0-1 York City
• Carlisle United 0-0 Gateshead
• Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Brackley Town
• Rochdale 2-4 Morecambe
• Scunthorpe United 0-0 Hartlepool United
• Southend United 3-2 Braintree Town
• Tamworth 1-0 Solihull Moors
• Woking 3-3 Eastleigh
• Yeovil Town 1-0 Truro City (Truro City are relegated)

Any excuse to watch this one again @LaurentMendy78 🥶#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/PRVGIyPUO7

— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) April 3, 2026

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