The Vics' third-straight league win lifted them above Leigh RMI who lost for the sixth game running at home to Tamworth. Jonny Allan put Northwich ahead on 20 minutes before debutant Jamie Hughes doubled the lead eight minutes later. Chris Duffy pulled Canvey back into it mid-way through the second half but the game was made safe by Paul Brayson's injury time penalty. Forest Green picked up a valuable three points at Bootham Cresent with top scorer Charlie Griffin the hero with a hat-trick for Alan Lewer's side. Andy Bishop grabbed a late consolation for the struggling Minstermen, who are now just one place above relegation, although there is still a nine-point gap back to Rovers. Leigh's shock FA Cup win at Accrington last week didn't lift them to a league win at home to Tamworth. The Lambs were apparently going to their slaughter during the first half at Hilton Park as strikes from Lee Connell and Gary Williams put the home team two-up. But the second half saw a dramatic turnaround with veteran striker Bob Taylor claiming a hat-trick in ten minutes to give the Midlanders the points. At the top of the table, Barnet's lead was cut to four points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hereford. The return of Conference top scorer Giuliano Grazioli lifted the Bees as he put them ahead with a goal in five minutes that Bulls' boss Graham Turner claimed was offside. David Brown soon levelled things up but there was further controversy early in the second half when Hereford's Graham Hyde cleared from a Grazioli header that looked like it might have crossed the line. With honours even at Edgar Street, Carlisle took the opportunity of closing the gap by continuing Gravesend's recent run of poor form with a 3-1 win at Stonebridge Road. Karl Hawley took his tally for the season to 10 league and cup goals with the first and third for the Cumbrians, sandwiching Peter Murphy's header four minutes from half-time. James Pinnock had briefly pulled the Fleet level with a 35th-minute shot. Aldershot lost ground on the leaders when they shockingly blew a 3-0 lead to draw at home to improving Morecambe. It all looked plain sailing as John Challinor, Nick Crittenden and Adam Miller (penalty) put the Shots in the driving seat at the Recreation Ground. The Shrimpers came firing back with Jim Bentley, Danny Carlton and Michael Twiss grabbing the goals to earn Jim Harvey's side a precious point. Stevenage went fourth when they defeated Halifax 2-1. Town had defender Denny Ingram sent off in an ugly match at Broadhall Way. He received his marching orders after kicking Stevenage's George Boyd. Brian Quailey had put Borough ahead a few minutes earlier but 10-man 'fax came back and levelled through Ryan Sugden in the second half. Anthony Elding grabbed the winner for the home side. Accrington's miserable form continued when they were held to a goalless stalemate by Exeter City. Stanley have collected just 5 points in their last seven games to drop from second in the table to eighth. Grecians captain Glenn Cronin received a nasty injury after a fall early in the game and was shown later to have dislocated his knee-cap.
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