Nuneaton Borough’s play off dreams were ended on Friday night after a dissappointing 2-0 defeat to Southport.

On a cold night Boro never really got going and fell behind very early on, through a close range Robinson strike. Despite creating two half chances for debutant forward Nick Farqurharson, the home side never properly recovered and didn’t ever seriously threaten a dominant Southport team.

Any hopes of a resurgant second half fight back were all but extinguished within three minutes of the re-start, as Blakeman doubled the Sangrounder’s lead. Nuneaton tried to press, but had little potency when going forward, and the defeat was seemed almost inevitable. Matty Collins and Carl Palmer were bought on towards the end, and showed more urgency but they couldn’t change the game as dramatically as needed.

For me, the starting line-up was the wrong one for such a game. Manager Kevin Wilking started with Danny Williams, and Farquharson up front- a forward line with little in the way of height or presence to it. It was the wrong game to give a young striker such as Farqurharson his debut, and after an early bad miss his confidence soon sapped away.

Rob Taylor again impressed down the left side, but any crosses he delievered were wasted as there was a lack of aerial ability available. To back up Farqurharson, and Williams were the midfield pairing of Tom Curtis and Bradley Pritchard- neither of which challenge the six foot mark of a tape measure. This left just Alex Rodman, and if he was to ever head a football without fear of spoiling his well styled hair I would like to see it.

Lack of attacking depth cost Nuneaton, a story far too familiar in the past few games. It is a failure that has left the Boro with no chance of making the play-offs and facing another season down in the Blue Square North next season.

In anticipation of Boro’s crucial Blue Square North clash with Southport tomorrow night at Liberty Way, we look back at the most recent encounter between the two sides. Earlier this season an in-form Nuneaton Borough visited Haig Avenue with high hopes, and returned with a share of the spoils thanks to a 2-2 draw.

With the season’s end fast arriving, the race for the Blue Square North play-offs are really hotting up. With second placed Stalybridge Celtic almost assured of their position in the end of season lottery, there are three slots up for grabs with five teams chasing them.

The five sides battling it out for the right to play for a place in the Conference National next year are; Harrogate Town, AFC Telford, Barrow, Southport, and our very own Nuneaton Borough. Last night two of the chasing pack played, as Barrow earned a good point with a 1-1 draw against Kettering Town, and Southport beat Alfreton 1-0.

With just over a week of the season left to play the top of the Conference North table looks like this:

POSITION	TEAM	GAMES PLAYED	POINTS
1	Kettering Town	39	88
2	Stalybridge Celtic	40	76
3	AFC Telford	40	74
4	Harrogate Town	39	71
5	Barrow	40	70
6	Southport	39	68
7	NUNEATON BOROUGH	40	68

Full Table

With all the teams left to play either two or three games this year, it couldn’t be tighter. I aim to bring you the lowdown on all the challengers. Including their recent form, remaining fixtures, and my tips on where I expect each of them to finish.

AFC Telford

Form: W-L-L-L-L-W

Remaining Fixtures: 19/4 Stalybridge Celtic (a), 26/4 Burscough (a)

Prediction: Telford’s form hasn’t been great of late, and a run of four straight defeats was only halted by a much-needed win against Harrogate on Saturday. They have two very tricky away trips to round off their season and I can’t see them taking any points from either of those games. 74pts 5th

Harrogate Town

Form: L-D-W-W-D-L

Remaining Fixtures: 19/4 Hucknall (h), 22/4 Tamworth (a), 26/4 Workington (h)

Prediction: Harrogate are another side with patchy form of late, and they have dropped some careless points as the end of the season has come closer. I can’t see this changing much, and I can see them winning, drawing, and losing each of their last three games. 75pts 4th

Barrow

Form: W-W-W-W-W-D

Remaining Fixtures: 19/4 Tamworth (h), 26/4 Worcester City (h)

Prediction: Barrow are by far and away the form team in the division, and haven’t lost since a 3-1 defeat to Stalybridge at the end of January. They have come from nowhere to storm into the play-off positions and surely must be shoe-ins to reach them with two home games left. Expect maximum points. 76 pts 3rd

Southport

Form: D-D-W-L-L-W

Remaining Fixtures: 18/4 Nuneaton Borough (a), 22/4 Leigh RMI (h), 26/4 Vauxhall Motors (a)

Prediction: Southport looked to be major title contenders back at Christmas but since then their form has been poor and they have plummetted down the table. A change in manager hasn’t really bought a change in fortunes having won and lost both games under the new boss. I think they will lose to Nuneaton, and only pick up four points from their other two games. 72pts 6th

Nuneaton Borough

Form: D-L-W–D-D-D

Remaining Fixtures: 18/4 Southport (h), 26/4 Tamworth (h)

Prediction: After surging up the table to join the play-off fight form has been inconsistent, and there have been too many draws. Losing leads against Gainsborough, Blyth Spartans, and Hucknall are likely to prove very costly. I expect a home win on Friday night against Southport, but I fear the drawing bug will be back when they face rivals Tamworth on the last day. 72pts 7th

Nuneaton Borough’s play-off dreams have been left in tatters after only managing a draw away at lowly Hucknall Town.

The day looked to have started well as injury victims Simon Travis and Jordan Stepien returned to the starting line-up. This joy was only short lived however, as Stepien pulled up within the first 15 minutes with a recurrence of the hamstirng injury that has kept him out for the past few weeks. This further blow now looks to have bought a premature end to the striker’s season.

His replacement Danny Williams did lighten the mood though, as he scored with five minutes to go in the first half. After a goal line scramble the ball fell to Williams who squeezed the ball underneath a despairing defender and into the net. Before this the game had struggled to ignite, with only half chances to Rob Taylor and Alex Rodman lifting the game.

After the break Hucknall committed men forward in search of an all important equaliser, and broke through the Boro back divisions 11 minutes into the second half, McPherson with the goal. Moments before Nuneaton had what appeared to be a very good claim for a penaly turned down, as Bradley Pritchard was upended in the box.

Rob Taylor restored Nuneaton’s lead with a powerful effort from just inside the box soon afterwards, but they looked shaky at the back. Acton beaten by a soft Saunders goal that appeared to strike the forward before rifling in to the top of the net.

Nuneaton pressed but little came, and the result leaves them in sixth place. In recent weeks a lack of cutting edge, and real solidity in defence could really have cost Kevin Wilkin’s men who now go into Friday night’s game against Southport with their play-off dreams hanging by a thread.

Nuneaton Borough travel to relegation threatened Hucknall Town on Saturday for their last away game of the season.

The travelling contingent know that – with three games left – Boro will need to pick up all three points if they are going to keep their play-off dreams alive.

Two draws in the past couple of weeks hasn’t particularly strengthened Nuneaton’s grip on a top five spot, despite them still holding onto one of the positions. Barrow and Southport are close behind with games in hand, so anything less than a win could well spell disaster for Kevin Wilkin’s men.

One major boost for the side is the expected return of on loan Bury striker Jordan Stepien. The forward has not played any part in his side’s promotion push since scoring a brace in the victory at Harrogate Town last month. He is likely to be partnered in attack by Alex Rodman, who is expected to be recalled to the starting line up after dropping to the bench last Saturday.

Andy Brown is definitely out for the next three games through suspension, while Danny Williams, Nick Farquharson, and Rob Taylor are all in contention for a start in attack. Elsewhere, Simon Travis is a major doubt as he still suffers from the calf strain that kept him out against Blyth Spartans, and Craig McIlwain is struggling with a rib injury.

Hucknall, who lie just a point above the relegation zone, are only missing one player through injury for the game. Eric Graves has been ruled out for the remaining part of the season and will miss the club’s three must win games.

The odds for the game reflect how recent results have been going in the Blue Square North, with the unexpected occuring on a regular basis. Hucknall are at 9/5, and Nuneaton at 6/5. If, unfortunately, Boro continue their recent drawing run the odds of 13/5 could well be a gift.

Nuneaton Borough staged their annual Player of the Year awards after Saturday’s game against Blyth Spartans. Connor Franklin and Darren Acton were the big winner’s on the night, as they scooped two titles each.

Young left back Connor Franklin was the proud winner of both the Manager’s Player of the Year award voted for by Kevin Wilkin, and also the Player’s Player of the Year. This capped a fine day for the former Leicester City trainee, as he had earlier scored in Boro’s 1-1 draw.

The player has been reportedly watched by Nottingham Forest scouts earlier this season, and may well find that he has an approach made for him by a higher ranked club in the not too distant future.

Goalkeeper Darren Acton, now used to picking up awards at this event, was voted as the BISC Away Player of the Year, and the Official Supporter’s Club Player of the Year for his fine performances between the sticks this season.

Blue Square North’s top goalscorer Andy Brown was also recognised in the awards night, as he picked up the BISC Overall Player of the Year. If Boro fail to reach the play-offs this season Brown will not play again this year, as he will now start his three match suspension after this weekend’s match.

Physio Richie Norman was also given a special award, as he won the Clubman of the Year Award. This was for his continuing good work for the club, despite his ever increasing age.

There is a chance for you to vote for your own player of the year on the website, with a poll made so that you can cas your vote. The facility is based on one of the tabs at the top of the page, under the name ‘POLL‘.

Nuneaton dropped two more crucial points in their battle for promotion from the Conference North with a draw against lowly Blyth Spartans on Saturday.

Luckily other results were favourable, but the draw must be seen as a missed opportunity to take advantage and build a four point gap above sixth place in the race for the play-offs.

Boro started brightly at Liberty Way, and went in front courtesy of a sweet strike from recalled full back Connor Franklin. The home side pressed for much of the half but couldn’t add to their lead, something that never boded well.

Blyth had much more of the game in the second half, and punished their hosts with a goal just after the hour mark. They gained a penalty, that was converted by Williams. Boro, as on a few occasions this year, were let down for tying to sit on a lead at half time.

Despite the disappointment of the result, there was a positive to be bought out of the game. Mark Noon started his first match for over a year, as he replaced Carl Palmer in midfield. If he can have the impact we all know he can, he may add that extra creativity needed for a successful play-off campaign.

Nuneaton go into Saturday’s game knowing that although league position indicates otherwise, Blyth Spartans are likely to provide them a stern test.

Boro haven’t lost at home for fifteen league games, and will hope to continue that run tomorrow in a game that needs to be won to keep alive any realistic play-off hopes. With Southport just a point behind with two games in hand, and Barrow lurking too, wins are the only currency Kevin Wilkin’s side can afford to deal in.

Spartans, despite being in seventeenth position, secured a massive upset last weekend as they beat champions-elect Kettering 2-0. They were also victorious in the home fixture against Nuneaton too, chalking up a 1-0 win just before Christmas. Their away form has been a little more inconsistent however, but may be encouraged by the list of Boro absentees.

Striking duo Jordan Stepien and Andy Brown are both out due to a hamstring injury and suspension respectively, leaving attacking options very thin on the ground. Alex Rodman will almost certainly start again, and will probably be joined by Matty Collins. Simon Travis may also miss out after coming off injured at the weekend, and Gavin Cowan will have to shake off a hamstring strain to be fit for the match.

If Travis is missing, and Rob Oddy still on loan at Rugby, Connor Franklin may be in line for a recall leading to Rob Taylor switching to right back. A move to four-four-two may also be of consideration for Wilkin, but the final decision won’t be made until before kick off.

Blyth Spartans haven’t reported any fresh injury worries for the trip, as they look to extend their points lead over the relegation zone to nine points.

Nuneaton are the favourites at 8/13, with the draw at 11/4 and a Blyth Spartans 9/2.

Nuneaton’s play-off hopes may have been dealt a bigger blow on Saturday than the result may have seemed.

Despite the Boro dropping two points away at Gainsborough Trinity, a much bigger concern for Kevin Wilkin must have been the sending off of goal machine Andy Brown. The league’s top scorer was sent off late in the second half after retaliating to a bad challenge from an opposition player.

Although some may have seen the decision to show the former Hinckley man a red card as an overreaction by the referee, the chances of the resulting ban being overturned is highly unlikely, if not totally unrealistic.

If as expected, Brown receives a three-match ban for his sending off, it will leave Nuneaton without both of their best strikers. As Jordan Stepien shows no sign of recovering from the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the team for the past three weeks, Boro will now be relying on Alex Rodman, Danny Williams, and new signing Nick Farquharson to fire them to the play-offs.

Rodman – who only joined the team in January – has only one goal to his name so far this term, while Danny Williams hasn’t scored in 2008 and has only shown fleetingly what he is capable of. Farquharson on the other hand has never played at this level, having only turned out for Nantwich Town so far in his senior career.

Manager Kevin Wilkin may be in desperate need of divine intervention, and may even be forced to consider donning the blue and white stripes for one last time before the season is over. His other option may be to play Matty Collins further forward, in a move that he has tried a couple of times before this year.

There were rumours today that former striker David Blenkinsopp may be lined up as a replacement. The former Coventry forward only left the club last year, but has scored 28 goals this season at Gresley Rovers which has alerted many clubs as to his talent.

With four important games against Blyth Spartans, Hucknall, Southport and Tamworth, it is by no means good timing for Nuneaton to suffer a striker crisis.

Leaders Kettering suffered a shock defeat to struggling Blyth Spartans on Saturday, but still maintain an eight point lead at the top of the table with two games in hand on their closest rivals. Two goals from Aaron Webster were enough to seal the home win, that leaves Blyth six points above the bottom three in 17th place.

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic recovered from defeat last time out with a convincing 4-0 victory over Solihull Moors. Steve Torpey bagged a brace, while Hall and Dean scored others to lift Celtic into second.

They move above AFC Telford, who suffered defeat at the hands of an in form Barrow team. With games left to play against many of the top sides, the Bucks may be losing form at just the wrong time. Saturday’s result leaves Barrow just six points behind fifth placed Nuneaton, having played two games less than the West Midlands side.

Harrogate Town scored an all important 3-1 success at Redditch United to further cement their play-off place – Price, Peat and Lowe the scorers – while Nuneaton lost ground after they surrendered a first half lead given to them by Craig McIlwain, to draw 1-1 at Gainsborough.

Southport missed the chance to leapfrog them back into fifth however, as a once strong 2-0 home lead against Boston turned into a 2-2 draw. Weaver scored both goals late on to leave many supporters at Haig Avenue ruing yet more dropped points.

At the bottom, there was a massive 3-0 win for Hucknall at home to Leigh RMI, while Vauxhall Motors also picked up a point after a 1-1 result at Tamworth. With strugglers Hinckley United not playing they drew closer to the safety line. Hucknall now lie a point behind, with Vauxhall a further five back.