MAGPIES CONFIDENT AHEAD OF SEMI-FINAL
NATIONAL League promotion favourites
Stockport County and
Notts County chalked up morale-boosting away victories as they stepped up their preparations for their bids to return to the EFL.
Stockport were made to work harder as York City gave them a testing first half behind closed doors at Bootham Crescent.
Jake Cassidy, Harry Bunn and Robbie Tinkler all went close for the hosts before Stockport struck late.
Michael Duckworth cleared off the line for York after 86 minutes before substitute Nyal Bell pounced following a late scramble for the only goal.
Notts County warmed up for Tuesday’s FA Trophy semi final against Harrogate Town by beating AFC Telford United.
Defender Alex Lacey’s finish gave the visitors an interval lead which was doubled when Theo Streete headed a Jimmy Knowles cross into his own net.
Aaron Williams reduced the deficit from the penalty spot before Wes Thomas netted the goal of the game to seal a 3-1 Notts success.
Altrincham struck three times inside 11 minutes on the way to an emphatic 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town B.
Yosifu Ceesay’s low shot set the ball rolling before Jordan Hulme’s brace gave Alty an emphatic interval lead with defender Toby Mullarkey tapping in a fourth.
Barnet looked strong as they saw off Braintree Town by the same scoreline.
Ephron Mason-Clark got a brace with Josh Walker and JJ Hopper also on target.
FC Halifax Town looked good as Kieran Green bundled in and Jake Hyde netted a header against Boston United.
But Jordan Thewlis with a penalty and Jordan Burrow struck back in a five-minute spell to earn a draw.
Hartlepool United filled their scoring boots as they hammered Northern Football League
Brandon United 12-0.
Luke Williams scored four and Mark Shelton a couple.
Alfreton Town beat
Chesterfield 2-0 at the Impact Arena.
James Jones scored first for the hosts and Jake Day made sure with the last kick of the match.
Kabongo Tshimanga got both goals as Boreham Wood beat Finishing Touch Football 2-0.
Weymouth were grateful for Andreas Robinson’s double as they shared four first half goals at Slough Town before Jake McCarthy and Cody Cooke completed a 4-2 away win.
Eastleigh and Maidenhead United both edged five-goal battles against National League South opponents.
Tyrone Barnett scored twice in quick succession to give Eastleigh a threegoal cushion against Eastbourne Borough before the visitors fought back.
Worryingly for Eastleigh, Joe Tomlinson was stretchered off in the first half.
Danilo Orsi was on target twice as Maidenhead beat Hampton and Richmond Borough 3-2.
Lee Martin’s fine goal was decisive as Ebbsfleet United defeated Dover Athletic 2-1
Solihull Moors lost 1-0 at home to Hereford and
Torquay United lost 2-0 at home to Chippenham Town.
Bradford Park Avenue lost 2-0 to Yorkshire Amateurs.
Billericay Town shared four goals with
Maidstone United and
Curzon Ashton won 2-0 at Padham FC.
Sutton United and
Dagenham & Redbridge were held to goalless draws at St Albans City and Dartford respectively.