The Easter weekend is always pivotal across the non-league calendar, and this year is no different, with promotion and relegation issues tightening across Lincolnshire.
Boston United hosted York City in a game where both sides needed points for very different reasons. Boston were looking for the win that would secure their safety, while York needed victory to keep pressure on Rochdale in the automatic promotion race. With plenty at stake, the opening 15 to 20 minutes were understandably cautious, neither side wanting to make the first mistake.
Boston had a strong penalty appeal in the 29th minute when Lennell John-Lewis appeared to be fouled in the area, but the referee waved play on. Chances came at both ends, but Boston keeper Cameron produced an excellent save just before half time to keep the scores level going into the break.
York made the breakthrough early in the second half. Cameron again made a good save, but Brookes reacted quickest to the rebound and finished from close range to give the visitors the lead. Boston responded well and were unlucky not to equalise, with Sloggett hitting the crossbar with a header just two minutes later. Maguire also struck the bar in the 67th minute, and later in the game there was a goalmouth scramble where Boston supporters were convinced the ball had crossed the line, but York managed to clear and held on for a 1-0 win.
With Rochdale losing 4-2 at home, York moved to the top of the table. Boston now travel to Brackley on Monday knowing anything other than defeat will secure their safety.
Gainsborough Trinity faced a difficult trip to play off rivals Stockton Town and were dealt a blow before kick off when Grimsby recalled loan player Henry Brown due to injuries, removing an important player from the side. Strong winds made conditions difficult, but Trinity started well and created chances in the first half without finding the breakthrough. They were punished just before half time when Stockton took the lead and went in 1-0 ahead.
The second half was briefly halted in the 47th minute when the wind actually moved the goal and it had to be reset before play could continue. Gainsborough had chances after the restart, but the game was largely spoiled by the weather and Stockton held on for a 1-0 win. The result moved Stockton into the final play off place, leaving Trinity two points outside and needing a strong finish to the season.
Spalding United needed a win to guarantee a home play off match after slipping out of the automatic promotion place, and they faced a tough test against an in form Stourbridge side. Stourbridge took the lead in the 15th minute through Charlie Pavey, but Spalding responded quickly and Lewis White equalised just three minutes later to make it 1-1 at half time.
With the wind behind them in the second half, Spalding were the stronger side and eventually took the lead in the 83rd minute through substitute Ben Fowkes. Late substitutions proved decisive, as Josh Taroni came on in the 88th minute and scored in the 91st minute to seal a 3-1 victory for the Tulips.
At the bottom end of the table, Stamford travelled to face play off chasing Halesowen knowing points were vital in their fight against relegation. Stamford started well and took the lead in the ninth minute through Jason Cavallo, scoring his first goal for the club. Halesowen dominated much of the first half but could not find an equaliser before the break.
The second half began badly for Stamford, with Halesowen scoring twice in the opening three minutes to turn the game around. Stamford defended well for long periods after that, but a third goal in the 84th minute secured a 3-1 win for Halesowen. Stamford remain just outside the relegation places by two points and now face a huge home game against Quorn on Monday, another side pushing towards the play offs, in what could be another decisive match in their survival battle.
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