Blue Square Premier action returned on Saturday after a two week gap, and the division remains as tight as ever. If it wasn't for Burton playing an additional match compared to most of the rest of the division, just four points would separate the top eight sides.
Burton's extra game has allowed them to sit three points clear of anyone else, and a third consecutive win ensures that they stayed at the top on Saturday. As the bottom club hosted the top club, it came as no surprise that Nigel Clough's Burton Albion came away from Lewes with three points. Greg Pearson's penalty secured a 1-0 win and leaves Lewes six points from safety in addition to their mounting financial worries.
Histon faced Kettering Town in a clash of two of the high-flying sides from the start of this season, and The Stutes once again made home advantage count against a bigger club to secure a 1-0 win. Jack Midson's goal soon after half time keeps up the record of the club not having lost when he scores this season.
Histon sit third, behind Torquay United on goal difference after The Gulls maintained their stunning recent form by ending York City's unbeaten home record. Mark Greaves looked to have saved his side from defeat with an equaliser five minutes from time before Mark Ellis won the game in injury time. In addition to reaching Round Two of the FA Cup, Paul Buckle hasn't seen his side lose in eleven league outings.
Kidderminster Harriers sit fourth after yet another 1-0 victory for a challenging side. A run of only two losses in ten has seen mark Yates' side match Torquay in charging up the table, and victory at Rushden and Diamonds was achieved courtesy of a Justin Richards penalty.
Crawley Town and Cambridge United sit level on points and a point away from the top five, although a win for either side when they met at the weekend would have lifted them into a playoff spot. A red card for each side and a penalty for each side later, Mark Convery's long range beauty ensured the spoils were shared. It was only the second time in seven that both sides had found the net in a Cambridge United match, and the first time in four it had happened to their hosts.
Wrexham complete the top third of the table with thirty points after a 3-1 win at Weymouth. Alan Lewer was in charge of The Terras after John Hollins was placed on "gardening leave" in mysterious circumstances earlier in the week. Bolton loanee Nathan Woolfe marked his arrival for Wrexham with a goal fifteen minutes into his debut, as Dean Saunders became the man to make the most successful start as manager in club history, after a fifth consecutive win.
Lower down the division, Northwich Victoria slip to second bottom despite an impressive 1-1 draw at Stevenage Borough. Darryn Stamp earned himself the distinction of scoring and being sent off, as Stevenage relied on Andrew Drury to rescue them a point.
The Vics slip behind Grays Athletic, who climbed to two points from safety after an excellent 2-0 win at home to Oxford United. Goals late in each half from Scott Forrester and Sam Sloma secured the points, against an Oxford side with just five points from nine away games this term.
Forest Green Rovers and Woking had been tied on points going into Saturday, and a point for the latter on Saturday lifts them above Rovers into twentieth. The Cards survived the entire second half at Eastbourne with ten men following Colin Miles' dismissal as they held onto a 0-0 draw. Danny Brown played the full match for The Sports following his loan move from Cambridge United this week.
Meanwhile Forest Green are yet to win in twelve following a 3-1 home defeat to Altrincham, who won for the first time in three. Colin Little and a brace Senior brace helped the visitors to a three goal lead after just over half an hour, giving Rovers no chance of a comeback.
In other action, Ebbsfleet United ended a run of five straight defeats after Neil Barrett struck in injury time to earn The Fleet a 1-0 win at home to Barrow. Mansfield Town had also lost five in a row, but they cruised to a 3-0 triumph at home to crisis club Salisbury City.
Midweek action sees a host of clubs in Blue Square Premier action, while a number face off in FA Cup action in an attempt to reach the Second Round in two weekend's time.
Matt Ramsay
