All Blue Square Premier sides were in action at the weekend, and results at both ends of the division makes it clear that the promotion and relegation issues may not be settled until much further into the season.

The top three sides are now separated by just one point after two of them dropped points on Saturday. Stevenage Borough lost top spot after going down 1-0 at Tamworth in a match which saw them end with nine men. Oxford United reclaimed pole position despite being held to a goalless draw at home to Kidderminster.

The U's lead Stevenage on goal difference and York by one point, while also boasting the benefit of two games in hand on both clubs. York extended their unbeaten league run to eleven following a 1-0 win at Kettering.

Wimbledon, Rushden and Luton all recorded wins and clean sheets, seeing Kettering fall below all these sides to eighth. Assuming the current top three all remain in the playoffs, it appears to be a battle between the above four clubs and Mansfield to secure the final two playoff berths.

Mansfield's unique "pay what you want" fixture saw their attendance rise to over 7500, but they slumped to a 2-0 loss at home to Gateshead. Consequently, only two points separates the five clubs gunning for fourth and fifth spot. Mansfield still hold fourth place, just above a Wimbledon side who completed the scoring inside the first ten minutes of their 2-0 win against Forest Green.

Rushden eased past Grays 3-0 at The Recreation Ground, while Luton's long trip to Barrow ended in a 1-0 win. Kidderminster remain six points from the playoffs at this point, while Crawley make up the remainder of the top ten after their 1-0 home triumph against Cambridge United.

At the bottom of the league both Chester and Grays look doomed to the drop, sitting thirty-one and eleven points from safety respectively. Chester went down 2-1 at home to Ebbsfleet, who looked similarly precarious only a few weeks ago but are now four points above the bottom four.

Gateshead's 2-0 win at Mansfield sees them move to three points from safety, while Forest Green are a point better off despite their loss at Wimbledon. Barrow's loss to Luton leaves them as the side just above the bottom four having been overtaken by Eastbourne, who won 2-1 at home to Wrexham to move three points above the drop.

The only other matches to take place were the highest scoring of the afternoon, as Altrincham crushed Salisbury 5-0 and Histon drew 3-3 with Hayes and Yeading.The sides remain three points apart, either side of Cambridge United, with Histon thirteen points away from the playoffs and Hayes seven points away from the relegation zone.

Seven Blue Square Premier fixtures take place on Tuesday night in addition to two FA Trophy Replays before the league again takes priority at the weekend.

Matt Ramsay