Conference Round-up: March 19

Last updated : 20 March 2005 By Al Woodcock
Giuliano Grazioli
Grazioli: Hat-trick as Barnet charge towards title
Barnet could be champions of the Conference by Easter Monday after they tightened their grip on the top of the table with a 7-1 hammering of hapless Farnborough.

The rout was helped by the sending off the visiting pair of Terry Parker and Kevin Hemsley. Jay Smith did put Town ahead in the sixth minute, but the home team soon took total charge. Giuliano Grazioli upped his tally to 27 goals with a hat-trick and there were further goals from Ben Strevens, Damian Batt, Lee Roache and Dean Sinclair in front of an Underhill crowd of 2,418. Jake Cole, the visiting keeper, was stretchered off on his full debut. The result means the busy Bees have a commanding 16-point advantage at the summit and two wins in their next two fixtures over Easter could clinch them the title and promotion.

Behind the North Londoners, the chasing pack faltered.

Halifax were scuttled 3-1 on the Scarborough rocks. The struggling Seadogs kept alive fading play off hopes with goals from Neil Bishop, Chris Senior and a David Reeves penalty. Halifax claimed a consolation through an Adam Ross spot kick and also had Denny Ingram sent off.

Woking dropped 2 points at Exeter where the game finished goalless. The home team created most of the chances but Woking's top-rated defence held firm to claim another clean-sheet.

Aldershot Town suffered a significant blow when they were beaten at home by Stevenage Borough. Dino Maamria claimed the decisive goal in the 17th minute, in front of 3,150 at the Recreation Ground.

This result allowed Carlisle to close to within a point of the Shots with three games in hand. The Cumbrians picked up maximum points for the third game in a row with a 1-0 home win over relegation-threatened Northwich Victoria. Striker Derek Holmes nodded in the only goal two minutes into the second half, but United later had midfielder Chris Billy ordered off for two bookable offences.

Behind Paul Simpson's men, there are a number of sides still scrapping to get into the post-season action.

Stevenage's win means they are still snapping at Carlisle's heels on 56 points with an extra game played. Accrington are still in the hunt after edging out Morecambe 2-1 in the Lancashire derby at the Interlink Express Stadium. The Shrimps moved in front with a Wayne Curtis goal on 13 minutes but Stanley fought back with goals from Lee McEvilly (36) and Paul Mullin (71). McEvilly was later sent off, but Accrington held on.

Hereford again lost ground when they were blanked at home by Crawley Town. Francis Vines's men have suffered from travel sickness this season but collected a valuable point at Edgar Street to preserve their own misfiring play off chances. The Bulls dominated the game with 12 efforts on goals to Crawley's miserly two, but they may rue missing out on a crucial three points at this stage of the campaign.

At the bottom, Forest Green were the only side to pick up anything thanks to a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge. Matt Gadsby propelled Rovers ahead before Glenn Southam levelled matters. Mark Beesley soon restored Forest Green's advantage but the Daggers had the last laugh when Craig Mackail-Smith was hauled down inside the box and top scorer Chris Moore netted from the penalty spot.

HOW THEY STAND
Barnet352366823775
Halifax341789594159
Woking3315126452957
Aldershot 3616911534757
Carlisle3315117603256
Stevenage3417512554556
Accrington3416711584655