Conference Round-up: Sep 25

Last updated : 26 September 2004 By Al Woodcock
Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson guided United to an impressive 5-0 win
Performance of the day in the Conference has to go to Carlisle who smashed Aldershot's 100% home record with a sensational 5-0 victory at the Rec.

The result enabled the Cumbrians to remain unbeaten and their goal hero was on-loan Brazilian Magno Vieira, who claimed a hat-trick. The rout began in the first half through a Chris Lumsdon free-kick and fellow midfielder Chris Billy also got in on the act with one of the four second-half strikes. Manager Paul Simpson saw his side move up two places into third and was delighted with their performance.

"To come here and score five goals is a great achievement. But I think it was our defensive display in the first half that won us the game," he said. "We had to be ruthless and I think Aldershot will still be up there, it just happened today that we put in the performance and got us this result."

While the Shots faltered, leaders Barnet looked on course to get back to winning ways at Scarborough when top scorer Giuliano Grazioli got his ninth goal of the seaon in the first half. But the Bees dropped two more points when the Seadogs' Tyrone Thompson bagged a 52nd-minute equaliser.

Hereford won their fourth straight game at Leigh, but left it very late in a see-saw match. Three times the Bulls took the lead at Hilton Park against the battling Railwaymen but each time the home side pulled back. Lee Mills put the visitors ahead in the 7th minute but RMI were on terms through Warren Peyton nine minutes into the second period. Mills struck again within five minutes to restore the lead but within two minutes Leigh skipper Gareth Stoker headed home an Ian Fitzpatrick corner. Eight minutes from time Adam Stansfield nudged Hereford back in front but with a minute of the 90 remaining, the home team thought they had secured a point when Steve Smith drove home from a half-cleared corner. But Leigh's joy was shortlived as United grabbed the winner deep into stoppage time through Stansfield's second of the afternoon

Accrington came unstuck for the first time at home, going down 2-1 to rejuvenated Gravesend and Northfleet. Andy Ford's men have responded to two straight defeats at the hands of Hereford and Barnet with a couple of timely wins in the past four days. Former Wycombe forward Roy Essandoh put them in front on the stroke of half-time and they extended that lead through pacy winger Manny Omoyinmi. Stanley rallied through a Jonathan Smith header with 20 minutes remaining but the Fleet held on for an important win that keeps them in play-off contention.

Crawley Town are still unbeaten at home in their first season of Conference football as they put winless Forest Green to the sword with a 4-2 success. Charlie MacDonald moved his tally to seven goals for the campaign with a penalty in the 33rd minute and another strike after 55. Charlie Griffin had twice put the bottom club a goal in front during the first half, but Crawley took charge during a one-sided second period. Alan Tait and Fiston Manuella were the Reds' other scorers.

Floundering York City eased their worries with a timely 2-0 win at Burton Albion who had stunned Barnet in midweek. In an emotion-packed afternoon at Eton Park, with Brian Clough's seat in the main stand decorated with floral tributes after his death last Monday, it was the visiting Minstermen who produced the goods. Ex-Albion player Paul Groves broke the deadlock after 74 minutes and an injury time strike from Andy Bishop wrapped things up for Chris Brass's men.

HOW THEY STAND
Barnet1072125923
Hereford10712221122
Carlisle1055024720
Gravesend10622231420
Accrington10622211320
Aldershot10613171319
Crawley10523151417