The weekend saw action split between two different competitions, as seven Blue Square Premier matches took place alongside four FA Trophy Quarter Finals.

The divisions' top two sides were both victorious in Cup action. Aldershot Town saw off a brave challenge from Tamworth, the only side from outside the to nonleague tier to reach this stage.

Manager Gary Waddock later commented how The Shots were fortunate to gain there 2-1 win. Kirk Hudson netted a 93^rd minute winner to secure a final four berth, after the match had gone over eighty minutes before seeing a goal.

Torquay United romped into the Semi Finals with a 4-1 demolition of Crawley Town. Kaid Mohamed netted twice for the second match in succession as The Gulls ran riot. Crawley's only consolation was a late Jamie Cook penalty.

York City recovered from a rare loss last week to secure a 1-0 away win versus Rushden and Diamonds. Danny Parslow netted the only goal in a match where former Cambridge United loanee Charles Ademeno made his Rushden debut.

The final Trophy match saw a goalless draw at The Pirelli Stadium between Burton Albion and newly-owned Ebbsfleet United. The sides will play for a second time on Tuesday night in the battle for the last spot in the last four.

The Stonebridge Road side had their MyFootballClub takeover officially confirmed this week, and the first selection is set to take place at some point in March. Goalkeeper Lance Cronin became the first player to benefit from the deal, signing a longer term contract with the club. Previous policy saw Fleet players only awarded one year deals.

Burton's Cup action saw them slip out of the playoff positions in the Blue Square Premier. Exeter City claimed fifth place after holding out to beat Farsley Celtic 2-1. Matthew Taylor's goal proved decisive as The Grecians survived a late Farsley fight back.

Stevenage Borough could only secure a goalless draw with Grays Athletic, and while it was enough to lift Peter Taylor's side to fourth in the division there may be some concern at Broadfield Way that Borough's playoff push may be under threat after a poor recent run of form. Burton trail Stevenage and Exeter by a single point following Saturday's action, with a game in hand on both sides.

Cambridge United's 2-0 disposal of Forest Green Rovers kept The U's in third spot, but with a mere four points separating them from sixth place. At this stage of the season, it appears that it will be these four teams fighting for the last three playoff positions. Forest Green's poor form and Stuart Fleetwood's lack of goals leaves Rovers seven points from the top five, and their quest for promotion may be over.

At the bottom of the table, Weymouth's 1-0 loss at home to Histon (courtesy of an Antonio Murray goal) leaves them precariously positioned above the drop zone. Farsley currently occupy the fourth relegation spot with twenty-five points, a mere two points behind both Altrincham and Weymouth.

Like the battle at the top of the division, the climax to the season looks set to involve a battle between multiple sides to achieve safety. Weymouth have played thirty matches, compared to thirty-one for Farsley and thirty-two for Altrincham, and this could prove vital in the search for survival.

Northwich Victoria remain nine points from safety, which is likely to prove too much to overcome in the last matches of the campaign, but a 3-2 away win at Woking suggests that The Vics are yet to give up the chase.

Michael Welch struck his second of the match in injury time to deny The Cards, who had twice come from a goal down. Former U Liam Marum struck his second goal in as many weeks but it wasn't enough to deny Northwich a rare win.

Stafford Rangers are also highly unlikely to be able to recover from a poor term in time to survive the drop, but remain unbeaten in three matches. A goalless draw at Halifax Town, themselves without a win in six, leaves Stafford ten points from safety.

However seven of their seventeen points have come in the last three matches, and if such form can be maintained then survival could be a possibility. The match marked the first game in charge for former Wolves legend Steve Bull, who will be hoping to achieve a great escape with Stafford.

The final match of the weekend saw Salisbury City maintain their loose hopes of a playoff spot, as they came from a goal down to see off Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 at Aggborough.

Liam Feeney and Robbie Matthews netted the goals close together after Ryan Clarke had saved Kiddy striker Iyseden Christie's penalty early on. Salisbury sit six points from the to five after playing a game more than their rivals, Even if the playoffs are not attainable, this represents an excellent debut season at this level for The Citadels.

Two Blue Square Premier matches and a Trophy replay to take place on Tuesday night before a full set of league actions returns at the weekend, as the fight for positions at all areas of the league table hot up in the run-in to the conclusion of the season.

Matt Ramsay