Conference Round-Up: Oct 2

Last updated : 03 October 2004 By Al Woodcock
Giuliano Grazioli
Grazioli: Two more goals
The fight for supremacy at the top of the Conference has intensified after both Barnet and Hereford dropped points on Saturday.

Those two results at Underhill and Edgar Street mean the top five clubs are now separated by just two points. Carlisle took advantage of Barnet's slip up at home to Woking by defeating Crawley Town 1-0 at Brunton Park in front of a league-best 5,850 attendance. Crawley were reduced to 10 men five minutes into the second half when midfielder Fiston Manuella was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Tom Cowan.

But the patient Cumbrians had to wait until six minutes from time until substitute Craig Farrell headed home Peter Murphy's left-wing cross to secure the points. The result enabled United to set a new club record of 11 unbeaten league games at the start of a season. Unsurprisingly, manager Paul Simpson was beaming afterwards.

"It was one of those games today when it looked like it wasn't going to go in. Crawley defended superbly. They probably deserved something out of the game but of course I'm pleased with the result. They've caused us a few problems but we've ground out a win and sometimes we're going to have to do that," he said.

The Bees were twice in front against the Cards with Conference top scorer Giuliano Grazioli again the man with the eye for goal with two more to take his tally to 11. However Woking showed great spirit to claim goals through Raphael Nade and Ian Selley and grab a deserved point. This after they saw striker Justin Richards controversially sent off for a challenge on Simon King - his second red card of the campaign.

Cards' boss Glenn Cockerill was fuming afterwards despite his side's valiant display.

"The linesman's got it wrong. I'm going to appeal against it - it wasn't even a free kick. He got it totally wrong," he said.

Burton's recent improvement continued when they held Hereford to a goalless stalemate at Edgar Street. The result means Nigel Clough's men have visited Barnet, Hereford and Carlisle this season without losing. The match was another spoilt by a red card as the Bulls defender Tamkia Mkandawire was ordered off for a poor challenge on Andy Ducros near half-time.

Despite the man disadvantage the Brewers more than held their own with more goal attempts and corners than the home team, whose failure to win three of their opening six home games will not please boss Graham Turner.

Shock of the day came at Cherrywood Road where Farnborough dented Accrington's impressive start to the season with a 2-1 victory. Danny Allen-Page and Tony Taggart (penalty) were the scorers for the home team against a Stanley side still celebrating their impressive midweek LDV Victory over Bradford City. Ged Brannan had brought the visitors level with a penalty kick in the 51st minute that saw Town's Nick Burton sent off. But Farnborough went back in front when Taggert converted another spot-kick for the home side after Sasha Opinel's shot was hand balled by Peter Cavanagh.

Gravesend continue to score freely and moved above Hereford into third after demolishing Leigh RMI 4-1. Lee Protheroe, Roy Essandoh with two and skipper Steve McKimm were the scorers with Leigh's late reply coming from Garry Williams.

Northwich ended a bad week which saw them docked 10 points for going into administration by battling back twice to claim another draw at home to Dagenham and Redbridge - their sixth in 11 games. Ex-Carlisle striker Jonny Allan was the home hero with both goals in a 2-2 draw. Glen Southam scored both for the visitors. Vics are still without a win though and the penalty means they are stuck on -4 points, five behind second bottom Forest Green Rovers, who were beaten by Scarborough's injury time goal from Keith Gilroy at The Lawn.

Aldershot bounced back well from the debris of their 5-0 home defeat to Carlisle a week ago with a 2-1 success at Tamworth, who have now lost six games on the bounce. Harrad put the Lambs ahead in 10 minutes but Miller and Challinor were on target early in the second half to secure three points for the Shots, who moved up to fifth.

HOW THEY STAND
Barnet11731271124
Carlisle1165025723
Gravesend11722271523
Hereford11722221123
Aldershot11713191422
Accrington11623221520
Halifax11614231819