By Steven Oldham Cover photo: David Airey Chorley vs Needham Market
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Clean sheet for Chorley in home win
Chorley took full advantage of a sparse National League North fixture list and are up to second after beating Needham Market 1-0 at Victory Park.
Craig Hewitt’s goal ten minutes before the break proved to be decisive as Chorley extended their unbeaten run to eight league matches – on a day where only four fixtures went ahead as FA Cup qualifying continued for many Step 2 clubs.
Hewitt’s fourth goal of the campaign leaves Chorley a point off the top, albeit having played an extra game than league leaders Scunthorpe United. Goalkeeper Matt Urwin secured victory for Chorley in added time, by denying the visitors’ Nico Valentine at point blank range.
READ MORE: FA Cup: Ten-man Chester victorious in replay
Southport see off Shields
Southport returned to winning ways for the first time in five matches with a 3-0 home victory over South Shields.
Tom Moore opened the scoring for Jim Bentley’s side on 25 minutes, and victory was sealed by second-half efforts from Danny Lloyd and Marcus Carver. The Sandgrounders have leapt from the bottom half into the top ten and overtaken today’s opponents with their biggest win of the season to date.
It’s a second win for Southport over this opposition after a 1-0 win at Haig Avenue last November.
First Yellows win since August
Warrington Town came from behind to pick up a 2-1 win at ten-man Radcliffe – with two second half goals in five minutes from Josh Miles and Josh Amis wrapping up the three points.
The recently returned Tunde Owolabi had given the home side the lead on 38 minutes, but the home side were reduced to ten men before the break following Jordan Hulme’s straight red card.
Radcliffe remain without a win and sit bottom of the table, as Warrington pick up a first away win of the season.
Buxton lose in closing stages
Elsewhere, Buxton fell to a late 2-1 home defeat to Hereford. Connor Kirby’s equaliser looked to have secured a point for the Bucks after Akheem Rose had put the visitors ahead.
However, Andy Williams was on target for The Bulls three minutes into injury time to condemn John McGrath’s side to a sixth defeat in seven matches.
However, Buxton do have 12 points on the board after a strong start which saw them win four of their first five matches.
National League North fixtures
Next weekend, Chorley travel to Alfreton Town, while Radcliffe travel to Brackley Town. Chester host table-topping Scunthorpe, while Curzon Ashton host Hereford at The Tameside Stadium.
Buxton travel to King’s Lynn Town, and Marine are back in action at Peterborough Sports.
Finally, Southport are on the road at Scarborough Athletic and Warrington Town host struggling Oxford City at Cantilever Park.
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