Conference roundup: Grimsby close in on Barnet

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 24 March 2015

Grimsby beat Dover 1-0 to move within three points of Conference leaders Barnet, while Telford and Nuneaton breathe new life into their respective survival pushes.

Grimsby Town edged out in-form Dover Athletic with a 1-0 win at the Crabble Athletic Ground to move within three points of Conference leaders Barnet.

Lenell John-Lewis's strike after six minutes proved enough for the visitors as Paul Hurst's side ended the Whites' three-game winning streak.

The Kingfield Stadium threw up the night's best drama as promotion-chasing Woking came from two goals down to beat Torquay United.

Two goals in as many minutes from Aaron Dawson and Louis Briscoe handed the visitors a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead, but the fightback began on 53 minutes when Yemi Odubade reduced the arrears.

Josh Payne equalised shortly after to stun United, before Scott Rendell pounced nine minutes from the end to turn the game on its head and help the Cardinals move one point adrift of the playoff places.

Elsewhere, Gateshead and Halifax Town both missed the chance to boost their hopes of a top-five finish after holding one another to a 2-2 draw at The Shay.

Both sides came into the contest on 60 points, six off the playoff places, and there was little between them on the field as James Bolton struck on 29 minutes to cancel out Carl Finnigan's opener and ensure a 1-1 half-time draw.

Bolton picked up his brace on the hour mark to edge Halifax ahead, but Josh Gillies - who was sent off at the death - levelled up nine minutes later to earn a point.

At the other end, bottom-of-the-league AFC Telford United threw themselves the slimmest of lifelines by beating Braintree Town 2-0 at Cressing Road.

Steve Kittrick's side, who now sit 14 points adrift of safety, took the lead on the hour mark through a Tony Gray penalty, before Danny Ventre struck five minutes later as the strugglers ended a three-game losing streak.

Nuneaton also did their hopes of remaining in the division no harm by beating Wrexham 2-0 at the James Parnell Stadium.

Goals in either half from Adam Walker and Robert Ogleby proved enough as Liam Daish's side move five point adrift of safety.

Results in full: Alfreton Town 0-0 Dartford, Braintree Town 0-2 AFC Telford, Dover 0-1 Grimsby Town, FC Halifax 2-2 Gateshead, Nuneaton 2-0 Wrexham, Woking 3-2 Torquay United