The Shots eased their way above Accrington on goal difference thanks to strikes from Tim Sills, Jon Challinor, Aaron McLean and Nick Crittenden. It sets up the Southerners for a key clash at Edgar Street on Tuesday when they take on fifth-placed Hereford United. Dagenham, who were top of the table after three games but haven't won since, were architects of their own destruction with defender Ashley Vickers sent off for the second time this season. Stanley dropped a place despite seeing off the spirited challenge of lowly Leigh RMI, who gave Aldershot a massive fright last week. They won 2-1 with two goals from ex-Rochdale frontman Lee McEvilly. Michael Byrne replied late on for the Railwaymen. Barnet remain top of the tree after a convincing 4-1 victory over Gravesend & Northfleet, who started the match in fourth place. However the performance wasn't as impressive as the final scoreline and manager Paul Fairclough admitted as much afterwards. "It was a great win but I believe the scoreline flattered us," he said. "Arguably we scored against the run of play but the nature of the side is we've got players who score goals, and if you give them an opportunity they will score." Liam Hatch netted twice, Dean Sinclair was on target and Conference leading marksman Giuliano Graziolo added yet another goal to make it eight from eight games. Former Oxford and West Ham flyer Manny Omoyinmi got a late goal for the Fleet. Carlisle are still unbeaten along with Barnet, but manager Paul Simpson still wasn't wholly impressed with their 2-1 defeat of struggling Tamworth, who have lost their last four. The Cumbrians struggled in the first half to break down a tight rearguard but struck early in the second period through seven-goal striker Karl Hawley and home debutant Simon Grand headed a second 15 minutes from time. Veteran Bob Taylor claimed a late consolation for the Lambs. "I'm delighted that we're still unbeaten but the perfomance could have been a lot better," admitted Simpson. "The players got more confidence from the first goal and we played some good football after that, but I'm disappointed Tamworth got their late goal because they didn't deserve it." Halifax Town notched up their third straight win to go fourth after winning at Canvey Island, only the Essex side's second defeat of the season. Darren Mansaram, on-loan from Grimsby, claimed his second goal in as many games on the stroke of half-time to keep the Shaymen buzzing. Hereford stayed in the hunt for the promotion and play-off places with a tightly contested 1-0 victory over Scarborough that owed much to a very good performance from keeper Jonathan Gould. Gould used to keep goal for Celtic and Scotland so he has a fine pedigree, but Bulls' boss Graham Turner was indebted to him for keeping out the visitors. A single David Brown effort in 27 minutes from a header proved to be the only goal of the game at Edgar Street in front of 2,874. "The result was the important thing today but it was a mighty struggle," commented Turner. "We've got to thank some excellent saves from Jonathan Gould for getting us the three points." Burton boss Nigel Clough is chirpy after his Brewers racked up their third clean sheet in succession in a 1-0 home success over Crawley Town, their first at home this season. Andy Ducros' goal after 30 minutes enabled Clough's men to move out of the bottom three. There was some cheer at last for rock-bottom Forest Green who managed to stop the bleeding with their first point of the season in new manager Alan Lewer's debut. Lloyd Blackman put visiting Farnborough ahead on 14 minutes but the home team rose to the occasion at last and Charlie Griffin claimed a point with an equaliser six minutes from the interval.
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