Battle at the top intensified after results this week

National League South restarted this week with the battle at the top of the table intensifying.

Arguably the shock result of the weekend saw Billericay hold St Albans to a 2-2 draw at New Lodge. Billericay furloughed their first team squad last week which meant a largely inexperienced side took on the Saints, who were unbeaten away this season, conceding once in six outings. Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo’s 87th minute strike rescued a point for the Essex outfit, who had initially led through Rowan Liburd.

Leaders Dartford recovered from 2-0 down against bottom markers Welling United to draw 2-2 on Saturday, before losing 1-0 to Eastbourne on Tuesday, both of those matches at home.

Dorking Wanderers made use of the Darts’ slip at the weekend by comfortably winning 3-1 at Hemel Hempstead Town, with Jason Prior’s double taking him to 17 goals in all competitions this season.

Hemel recovered on Tuesday with their first home win of the season. Havant & Waterlooville were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat at Vauxhall Road, the Hawks also lost on penalties on Saturday to Notts County in the FA Trophy after a 2-2 draw.

County face Oxford City in the quarter-finals after David Oldfield’s men defeated Bath’s conquerors Peterborough Sports 2-0. They followed it up with a fine 4-0 success over Hungerford in the league on Tuesday and have now won nine and drawn two of their last 11 matches. Hungerford on the other hand suffered back-to-back losses over the weekend, having been beaten 3-2 at Eastbourne on Saturday despite Ryan Seager’s double.

Ebbsfleet United moved within four points of Hungerford with three games in hand after ending Hampton’s superb run on the road. The Beavers had won their last seven away matches including a 3-0 success at Tonbridge on Saturday, but David Fisher’s goal wasn’t enough as Rakish Bingham and Alfie Egan struck in the first half for the hosts at the Kuflink Stadium in a 2-1 victory. The game itself only went ahead after volunteers helped clear snow from the pitch on Tuesday afternoon.