Conference Round-up: Nov 27

Last updated : 28 November 2004 By Al Woodcock
Paul Fairclough
Fairclough: Gave credit to Shots
Barnet moved seven points clear at the top of the Conference after edging past Aldershot Town in a five-goal thriller at the Recreation Ground.

The Bees went ahead as early as the seventh minute as top scorer Giuliano Grazioli grabbed his 13th goal of the campaign, prodding home a Liam Hatch header. Town were back on terms late in the half when Jonny Dixon volleyed home from close range. Barnet nudged ahead again on 67 minutes when Richard Graham scored with a well-taken shot. Eight minutes later the home side drew level when Dixon again volleyed in. But Simon King had the last laugh for Barnet as he drove home through a crowded box to seal the points 7 minutes from time.

Bees boss Paul Fairclough gave credit to Aldershot for making such a match of it. "They showed so much passion and they kept coming at us," he said. "We had to make some adjustments at half-time as they stopped us playing. It was a great goal to win the game, but it wasn't just about one team today."

Shots manager Terry Brown was gutted to end up with nothing after a storming performance. "I'm shell shocked to be honest. I thought it was a magnificent game of football and a credit to the league. Credit to Barnet. To take three out of four finishes is phenomenal. They have done that most of the year and they are not up there by luck but rather because they are a decent side. My players responded fantastically today. We dominated the game and were always looking for three points," he said.

Barnet extended their grip at the top because Carlisle crashed to a surprise 2-1 defeat at struggling York. It was the Cumbrians' first away defeat in any competition this season.

United's afternoon started to turn sour in the 19th minute when midfielder Peter Murphy was ordered off for an elbow on City's Paul Groves. After that the home team took charge and veteran Lee Nogan put them ahead close to half-time. Midway through the second period Dave Merris doubled the lead and Carlisle only got back into it late on when substitute Kevin Henderson replied after a Karl Hawley shot was parried.

There were no excuses from Cumbrians' boss Paul Simpson.

"I am very disappointed. We had a very, very poor start to the game. We looked slow to the ball, we were not crisp with our passing and that set the tone for 70 minutes. In the last 20 minutes we put them under pressure but that wasn't enough," he said.

Halifax closed the gap on Carlisle when they picked up all three points at Northwich. The home team had won four of their previous five games but the Shaymen struck two late goals through Adam Quinn and Lewis Killeen. Vics responded in injury time through Paul Brayson but it was too little, too late.

Hereford and Accrington also won to keep their promotion challenges on course.

The Bulls followed up their 4-0 demolition of Canvey Island last week with a 2-1 home success over improving Tamworth. Defender Tamara Mkandawire put them ahead in the sixth minute at Edgar Street and former Telford forward Lee Mills extended that lead on 31 minutes with a header. Experienced forward Bob Taylor lobbed a goal back for the Lambs seven minutes later. An hour into the game, home skipper Tony James was sent off, but Hereford held on to take the points.

Stanley inflicted Canvey's fourth-straight defeat to move back into the play off picture. A lone Paul Mullin goal two minutes into the second half at the Interlink Express Stadium was enough to see off the struggling Essex side.

At the bottom there was more misery for Leigh RMI who suffered their eighth successive Conference defeat at home to Farnborough Town. Their fortunes didn't improve despite the sacking of Phil Starbuck in the week and his replacement with Geoff Lutley.

The Hampshire side collected their second away success of the season with goals from Stephen Hughes on 32 minutes and Paul Harkness on 88. Gareth Stoker had put Leigh level in 57 minutes. The gate of 225 was the lowest in the Conference this season.

Forest Green continue to show signs of life but they were disappointed to miss out on victory at high-flying Stevenage Borough.

The Gloucestershire side, who have now gone three league games without defeat, were three minutes from securing 3 points thanks to a brace from Mark Beesley. But the Borough rallied late on with much-travelled striker Dino Maamria grabbing a pair of goals to snatch a point.

HOW THEY STAND
Barnet181341491543
Carlisle181062401536
Halifax 181026342532
Hereford18945342331
Accrington19946322631
Crawley18936232030