Blue Square Premier action returned at the weekend, sandwiched in between two weeks of FA Cup action. Such is the level of competition on display in the division this season, that incredibly a mere two points separates the top seven sides after seventeen rounds of league action.

Kettering Town maintain their status as league leaders by a solitary point despite falling to a home defeat on Saturday. James Coutts struck three minutes from time to earn Weymouth a 1-0 away win to lift themselves into the top ten, after Guy Branston had been sent off for the hosts in the first half.

Three sides sit on thirty-one points, in touching distance with The Poppies. Torquay United are ten matches unbeaten in the league and now sit second despite their disastrous start to the campaign. Their latest success saw them see off Mansfield Town 2-0 at Plainmoor, to leave their visitors only a point from the bottom four following their four point deduction.

Histon are third after Jack Midson's goal secured a single goal win at Altrincham. The Robins had not lost at home since their second fixture of the year against Barrow on August 12, while The Stutes have suffered just two losses in fourteen, as well as progress in Cup action in midweek.

Burton Albion are the next side to be staging an early claim for the title, recovering from their first loss in five to see off struggling Ebbsfleet United 3-1 at The Pirelli Stadium. Aaron Webster struck twice in between Keith Gilroy's strike, while Ebbsfleet's misery was compounded by Mark Ricketts' injury time dismissal for foul and abusive language as Liam Daish's men fell to a fifth loss in a row.

Crawley Town remain in the playoffs on goal difference despite falling to a surprise loss at Salisbury City in Thursday night's televised fixture. Goalkeeer Simon Rayner's howler opened the scoring in a 2-0 loss, as Steve Evans' men fell to a third consecutive away loss to add to their surprise Cup upset at home to Havant.

Kidderminster climb to sixth after a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Grays Athletic. In nine home fixtures Mark Yates has seen his side concede just four times, while Wayne Burnett's Grays have scored just three times on the road and are yet to pick up a point from nine away games.

Grays sit four points from safety, and only a point separates them from bottom side Lewes. The Rooks also fell to a 2-0 away loss, this time courtesy of both Wrexham centre halves finding the net. Lewes and Grays remain the only sides yet to win away from home as they chase a place in the top twenty.

Northwich Victoria sit three points from safety after a tenth loss of the season on Saturday, after which caretaker manager Mike Marsh resigned, leaving The Vics seeking their third manager of the year. Allan Tait's late strike ensured his side succumbed to Eastbourne 2-1in his final game, which sees The Sports move four points from safety.

Forest Green remain the final side in the bottom four after an eleventh winless league outing in a row. Conceding a penalty at Barrow inside forty seconds was never going to help their cause, and The Bluebirds took advantage and went on to win 3-1.

Woking remain the nearest challengers for the drop, only goal difference separating them for a place in the bottom four. Stevenage Borough returned from Kingfields with a 1-0 win due to Peter Vicenti's early goal. After their woeful start to the season, Stevenage are now ninth and only three points from the playoffs.

The final two matches provided just one goal, as Oxford United inflicted a rare defeat upon York City courtesy of a late Yemi Odubade penalty, which saw The U's climb to just a point behind their opponents. Cambridge United's goalless draw with Rushden and Diamonds cost them a chance to move level with Kettering at the top, and such is the competitive nature of the league they sit seventh instead.

The First Round of the FA Cup takes place next weekend so Blue Square Premier action again takes a backseat, as well as the opening games of the year's Setanta Shield, so clubs from the division will begin to think of financial incentive rather than league glory for the coming week.

Matt Ramsay