National League games this weekend: Pivotal clashes as promotion and relegation battles tighten

After another whirlwind of midweek National League action, the fights for the title and to survive in the fifth tier have become ever fiercer ahead of a full schedule of weekend action.

League leaders Rochdale suffered a 3-2 away defeat to promotion contenders Southend United, with Jimmy McNulty's side unable to take advantage of their remaining game in hand.

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Drama as Southend United dent Rochdale's title hopes

Watch Southend vs. Rochdale highlights

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With the gap between the Dale and York City just two points, there are now just eight games remaining in what could be the greatest National League title race of all time.

Gateshead and Brackley Town both picked up valuable points in the battle to avoid the drop, and there are now just four points separating four teams heading into the weekend.

In what promises to be another pivotal round of games in the fifth tier, DAZN News takes a closer look at what is on offer.

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National League matches live on DAZN

Woking vs. Aldershot Town

• Date: Saturday, March 21
• Time: 12.30pm (Available to watch live on DAZN)

Aldershot Town will be striving to end a run of four successive defeats when they travel to mid-table Woking as they slide towards the relegation zone.

John Coleman has done a stellar job since taking over as Shots manager, but recent results mean that they now sit four places and five points above the bottom four.

However, given that Aldershot have played four of the top six in their last four, their run of defeats should not cause too much concern.

While Woking technically have nothing to play for, their run of form suggests that they will provide a stern test at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

The Cards are unbeaten in their last five, occupying 10th position, and will be aiming to accumulate as many points as possible between now and the end of the campaign.

Woking FC

Solihull Moors vs. Halifax Town

• Date: Saturday, March 21
• Time: 5.30pm (Available to watch live on DAZN)

With Solihull Moors needing to ensure survival and Halifax Town chasing a play-off place, this encounter has the makings to be a corker at the ARMCO Arena.

Chris Millington's side were held by a resilient 10-man Brackley Town in midweek, stretching their winless run to eight.

While the Moors have a seven-point cushion on the relegation zone, they have been dropping points to teams at the bottom and are at serious risk of being dragged in.

Halifax have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs, but with plenty to play for, they can take advantage if the teams above them drop points.

The Shaymen scored late to secure a statement 3-2 win over Boreham Wood last Saturday and sit two points behind Southend in seventh, although they have played two games more.

Boreham Wood vs. Gateshead

• Date: Saturday, March 21
• Time: 3pm (Available to watch live on DAZN)

Boreham Wood are riding high after defeating West Ham United's under-21s on penalties in the National League Cup final on Tuesday night.

However, Luke Garrard's focus will now be on catching third-place Carlisle United to ensure they avoid a play-off eliminator at the end of April.

Their opponents, Gateshead, have been on an extraordinary run of form that has seen them go from relegation certainties to genuine survival contenders.

Rob Eliot's men beat in-form Wealdstone 1-0 in midweek, meaning that they are now level on points with Barckley and are only in the drop zone on goal difference.

When Boreham Wood play, there is usually a glut of goals, so this one could be the clash of the National League this weekend.

National League games taking place this weekend

Saturday, March 21 (all games kick off at 3pm unless stated) 

• Woking vs. Aldershot Town (12.30 kick-off, live on DAZN)
• Altrincham vs. Southend United
• Boreham Wood vs. Gateshead
• Braintree Town vs. Scunthorpe United
• Carlisle United vs. Boston United
• Forest Green Rovers vs. Wealdstone
• Hartlepool United vs. Eastleigh
• Rochdale vs. Tamworth
• Sutton United vs. Truro City
• Yeovil Town vs. Morecambe
• York City vs Brackley Town
• Solihull Moors vs. Halifax Town (5.30 kick-off, live on DAZN)

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