Conference Premier roundup: Barnet retain slender lead at top

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 18 April 2015

Bristol Rovers miss the opportunity to replace Barnet at the top of the Conference Premier after succumbing to a late goal at Dover.

Barnet hold their one-point advantage at the top of the Conference Premier ahead of next Saturday's final round of fixtures.

Chasing Bristol Rovers had looked on course to usurp the long-time leaders at the summit when they went 1-0 up at Dover, but a strike from Ricky Modeste two minutes from time ensured that the spoils were shared.

Martin Allen's Barnet had been heading for a shock defeat at Aggborough after Daniel Wright put Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 up in the first half, but Luisma rescued a point for the Bees with 15 minutes remaining.

Next week sees Barnet host Gateshead, while Rovers will welcome relegation-threatened Alfreton Town to the Memorial Stadium.

Alfreton could have been relegated today in a crunch match against Welling United at North Street. Welling played most of the match with 10 men after Harry Osborne got his marching orders on 14 minutes, with Danny Bradley slotting home the resulting penalty to put the hosts 1-0 up. The Wings found an equaliser through Ross Lafayette on the stroke of half time, however, and Chris Bush boosted their survival hopes further with a goal near the hour mark. Ten minutes later, Massiah McDonald struck for Town to ensure that the spoils were shared to leave them out of the drop zone on goal difference.

Forest Green Rovers remained in the final playoff place after a 4-2 win at Gateshead, while chasing Macclesfield Town kept up the pressure with a 2-0 win over relegated Dartford to stay in sixth and one point adrift.

Woking's hopes of a late playoff push were ended after they could only take a point from relegated Nuneaton Town at the James Parnell.

Chester rose a place to 13th with a 1-0 win at the Recreation Ground, a 14th-minute penalty from John Rooney proving the difference.

Relegated Telford notched up their third win in a row with a 2-1 win at Altrincham, while Torquay United claimed a 2-0 victory at Halifax Town.

Southport effectively confirmed their safety by taking a point from third-placed Grimsby Town in a 2-2 draw in Merseyside.

Wrexham bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at Welling last week with a comfortable 3-0 victory over visiting Braintree.

Scores in full: Aldershot Town 0-1 Chester FC, Alfreton Town 2-2 Welling United, Altrincham 1-2 Telford United, Dover Athletic 1-1 Bristol Rovers, Halifax Town 0-2 Torquay United, Gateshead 2-4 Forest Green Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Barnet, Macclesfield Town 2-0 Dartford, Nuneaton Town 1-1 Woking, Southport 2-2 Grimsby Town, Wrexham 3-0 Braintree Town