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National League (England)

Ebbsfleet frustrate promotion hopefuls Barnet with late equaliser

Both sides had chances in the first half as Zak Brunt rattled the crossbar and Dominic Poleon hit a post on the half-hour mark.

Nicke Kabamba fired the Bees ahead two minutes into the second half after smashing the ball into the bottom corner and they came close again minutes later when Harry Pritchard’s shot was blocked.

The Fleet equalised in the 80th minute as Dominic Samuel’s cross was turned in by a Barnet defender to earn a point.

Ebbsfleet see off Boreham Wood

O’Neill broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after McQueen’s rebound had fallen for him, before McQueen doubled the lead 10 minutes later.

Angelo Balanta brought Boreham Wood back into the contest in the 36th minute, slotting into the corner.

However, the influential McQueen completed his double with 20 minutes to go, completing the scoring and ensuring three points for the hosts.

Ebbsfleet sweep past York to sail up to fifth

Defender Franklin Domi’s saw an early effort for Eastleigh strike a post before the home side took the lead in the 19th minute when Omari Sterling-James’ cross spun over the line.

York drew level in the 27th minute through Zanda Siziba, whose fierce angled drive gave Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Mark Cousins no chance, but Domi restored his side’s lead before the break with a powerful finish.

Ebbsfleet made it 3-1 early in the second half, with Sterling-James’ low cross was converted by forward Craig Tanner.

York went close to reducing the deficit when Kai Kennedy’s header hit the crossbar before Dominic Poleon wrapped it up for Ebbsfleet with another clinical finish in the closing stages.

Ebbsfleet’s wait for a win continues as they are held at home by Maidenhead

After a quiet first 45 minutes, Ebbsfleet broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Dominic Poleon latched onto a long ball before driving into the area and lashing home.

Maidenhead responded just six minutes later when Reece Smith finished from inside the area to make things all square.

The away side had an opportunity to win the game in the 82nd minute but Sam Barratt’s long-range effort forced a superb diving save from Sam Cousins to keep the score at 1-1.

Ed Francis earns a point for Gateshead at Aldershot

Gateshead were unlucky not to open the scoring in the first half as Francis’ 25-yard free-kick was clawed away from the bottom corner by Jack Bycroft.

The Shots took the lead after 59 minutes when Josh Stokes capitalised from some good build-up play to fire in off the post.

The lead was cancelled out late on by Francis, who latched on to Aaron Jones’ miscued clearance.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe penalty gives Hartlepool victory

Dieseruvwe scored from the spot in the 73rd minute after Terrell Agyemang was brought down in the box.

Dieseruvwe had already twice gone close to scoring, seeing an early effort saved by Sam Johnson and then, five minutes into the second half, having a shot scrambled off the line by Tylor Golden after the Pools forward lifted the ball over the goalkeeper.

Halifax had threatened twice late in the first half, but Florent Hoti’s strike from range was narrowly wide while Rob Harker’s volley was held by Zak Johnson.

Erico Sousa seals Boreham Wood’s win over Maidenhead

Sousa sent Craig Ross the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute to earn three points which lift Boreham Wood up to 13th.

Kabongo Tshimanga had put the ball in the net for the hosts with 15 minutes gone, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Shawn McCoulsky went close to equalising for Maidenhead in the 84th minute, but was denied by a fine save from Nathan Ashmore.

Erico Sousa secures Boreham Wood point in 4-4 thriller with Eastleigh

Sousa’s spot-kick in the eighth minute of added time clinched a 4-4 draw at Meadow Park on a night when the home side trailed 2-0, led 3-2 and looked to have lost it at 4-3.

First-half goals from Jake Taylor and Enzio Boldewijn appeared to have put the visitors in the driving seat, but Sousa dragged the hosts back into it within three minutes of the restart and they were level six minutes later through Oscar Rutherford’s own goal.

Tyrone Marsh saw a 59th-minute penalty saved by Joe McDonnell and although Matt Robinson fired the home side in front with 24 minutes remaining, there looked like being a twist in the tail when Paul McCallum made it 3-3 before substitute Malachi Dotse put Eastleigh 4-3 ahead with a minute remaining.

However, Sousa kept his nerve when it mattered to ensure Boreham Wood finished with a point to show for their efforts.

Erico Sousa shines as Boreham Wood hit back to defeat Dagenham

The visitors arrived in east London with just one league win in seven and things threatened to get worse when Inih Effiong fired Dagenham into a 21st-minute lead.

Tyrone Marsh headed against the bar for Boreham Wood before they levelled just past the half-hour mark through Billy Sass-Davis.

Lee Ndlovu finished off a superb through-ball from Sousa to put his side into the lead in the 48th minute and Sousa sealed victory by netting himself on 67.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell rescues point for Rochdale at Kidderminster

The Harriers – promoted last season but without a win in their last five games – went ahead in the 18th minute when Joe Leesley fired Jack Lambert’s cross into the top corner.

Harvey Gilmour went close for Rochdale with an angled drive which flew just wide.

The visitors, though, were eventually back on level terms with 15 minutes left when captain Ebanks-Landell headed in from a corner.

Dale thought they had won it in stoppage time but Ian Henderson’s goal from a free-kick into the penalty area was ruled out for offside.

FC Halifax back in the play-off places after draw with Oldham

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through Dan Gardner’s half-volley from a corner before Rob Harker levelled for the home side a minute into first-half stoppage time, smashing the ball home.

Oldham were awarded a penalty when Joe Garner was fouled in the box and Gardner restored Latics’ lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, but The Shaymen levelled again in the 72nd minute through substitute George’s smart finish from a narrow angle.

Halifax climb back into the play-off spots on goal difference where they are tied on 68 points with Aldershot, while Oldham remain 10th.

FC Halifax close in on play-off places with victory against Dagenham

The deciding goal came in the 56th minute as Oluwabori was able to take a couple of touches before hitting a fine strike into the top corner.

It came after a first half of few chances, but did at least spark Dagenham into life.

They went close to a late equaliser but Tom Eastman’s header came back off a post before goalkeeper Sam Johnson denied him on the rebound.

FC Halifax close in on play-off places with victory at Gateshead

The away side opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break when Thompson-Sommers fired in a superb curling effort.

Gateshead almost found an instant equaliser but Regan Booty’s first-time effort from inside the box was blocked on the line.

Halifax sealed all three points with 20 minutes to go as Alli collected the ball on the halfway line and danced his way into the area before slotting into the bottom-right corner.

FC Halifax come from two goals down to take a point at AFC Fylde

Luke Charman drilled into the bottom corner to put Fylde ahead in the eighth minute and the Coasters soon doubled their lead as, in the 23rd minute, Nick Haughton raced onto a loose ball and finished with aplomb.

Halifax pulled a goal back when Angelo Cappello found Jamie Cooke in a good position in the 65th minute.

With nine minutes remaining, Florent Hoti denied Fylde the prospect of a third straight win with his fine equaliser.

FC Halifax earn play-off place with final-day win

Adan George put the visitors ahead after 27 minutes and they had a goal disallowed before Paul McCallum fired wide for Eastleigh shortly after the break.

Jamie Cooke’s composed finish doubled Halifax’s lead after 62 minutes.

Max Wright added a third 20 minutes from time as Town ensured Aldershot and Southend were unable to pip them to the last play-off spot.

Former Wrexham defender Neil Taylor warns club to avoid ‘circus’ over signings

Actors McElhenney and Reynolds have transformed Wrexham since buying the club in February 2021, with the Dragons set to end a 15-year absence from the English Football League after winning the National League title.

Wrexham’s promotion has seen them linked with several prominent names, among them former Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale, who McElhenney and Reynolds attempted to lure out of retirement.

Former Wales forward Hal Robson-Kanu and ex-Blackburn and Norway midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen, now 41, have also offered their services to Wrexham since promotion to the fourth tier was won.

“It can’t become a circus. It’s still a football club that needs to be successful because no one will pat you on the back if you don’t do it properly,” said Taylor, the former Swansea, Aston Villa and Wales full-back who began his senior career at Wrexham.

“Leave those players that are over the hill. I’d say to Hal ‘I don’t think you’re getting in over Paul Mullin. You’re retired now and he’s a top-class striker’.

“People think League One and League Two is easy but they’re not. It’s really hard football, harder arguably than when you play higher up with the amount of games, travel and some of the grounds you play at.

“So I’d say to Wrexham, stay clear and go for players who know the league and have been successful in it, players who are hungry to get higher up.”

Taylor, who grew up in north Wales at nearby Ruthin, predicts Wrexham will mount another strong promotion challenge in League Two next season.

Several members of Phil Parkinson’s squad – among them top scorer Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and skipper Ben Tozer – have extensive experience playing in the EFL.

“Hopefully that success continues and I don’t see any reason why not with the squad they’ve got,” said Taylor.

“They will strengthen this summer but it’s already a ready-made team to do well in League Two. But if you’re a good player in League One or League Two and Wrexham knock on the door, you’re going to go there.

“You’ll look at the brand and the commercial value of it and see how Paul Mullin’s gone from Tranmere to having a book out.

“It shows how good going to Wrexham can be for your career and agents will clamour to get their players at the club.

“But they’ve got to be careful who they get through the door because, in my mind, there’s no bigger pull than Wrexham below the Championship.”

Taylor was 19 when he was part of the Wrexham side relegated from the EFL in 2008 and he admires McElhenney and Reynolds for their impact on the football club and the wider community in general.

He said: “When I started there – and I was carrying the water for the first team at 16 – the Racecourse was full.

“But by the time you’re getting relegated, there were 2,500 in the stadium and you see the decline.

“It was tough for many years, so to see them promoted was emotional because I know many people connected with the club who are still there when I was.”

Four in a row for Southend after beating Ebbsfleet

The Shrimpers made it six unbeaten in total thanks to goals from Oli Coker, Gus Scott-Morriss and Jack Wood.

Coker opened the scoring when he curled into the top corner from the edge of the area in the 25th minute.

Scott-Morriss ensured the points were staying in Essex with another impressive finish, sending a looping shot into the net after 53 minutes, with Wood’s late strike adding icing to the cake.

Four-goal Dagenham prove too strong for Maidenhead

The home side took the lead with 32 minutes on the clock when Josh Rees pulled the ball back to Harry Phipps, who finished emphatically.

The Daggers doubled their advantage just four minutes later and Rees turned from creator to finisher when he slotted into the bottom corner.

Maidenhead came close to a goal of their own when Casey Pettit smashed an effort off the crossbar just three minutes after the break.

The visitors found a way back into the contest when Tristan Abrahams cut in from the right and smashed in via the post in the 66th minute but Ryan Hill’s 84th-minute penalty and Lewis Page’s last-minute effort sealed a convincing  home win.

Four-goal thriller sees the points shared at Bromley

Former AFC Wimbledon and Crawley striker Appiah, recently back from a long-term injury, stepped off the bench to head home an 89th-minute equaliser.

The visitors had hit the crossbar through Tyrone Marsh before Billy Sass-Davies headed them into a 27th-minute lead.

Bromley responded immediately through Corey Whitely’s brilliant equaliser from outside the penalty area and they took the lead in the 59th minute when Callum Reynolds slammed home from close range.

But Appiah’s towering late header clinched Boreham Wood a point as Bromley extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Fylde hammer fellow strugglers Maidenhead

Striker Ormerod slotted home after going through one-on-one to give the hosts a half-time lead at Mill Farm.

Reece Smith’s low shot in the 57th minute brought the Magpies level but parity was short-lived as Jon Ustabasi quickly restored the Coasters’ advantage with a fine individual effort.

Ormerod doubled his tally with a header 13 minutes from time before Nick Haughton completed an emphatic victory in the 88th minute, leaving Fylde and Maidenhead level on points, three above the bottom four.