Hereford hit six as Macclesfield's grip on the summit loosens

Hereford ended the week with the sort of afternoon that reshapes a table. Six goals without reply against South Shields at Edgar Street, watched by 3,715 including 48 away supporters, followed a 3-0 midweek win at Harborough Town that ended the Bees' long unbeaten home league record — their first home league defeat since April 2025. Harrison Iwunze and Cawley Cox scored in Leicestershire, with Danny Waldron adding a third in stoppage time, and Harborough manager Mitch Austin did not hide his feelings: "Truly beaten in the end and yes disappointing to roll over like that." Aaron Downes, nominated for the divisional Manager of the Month award for August, also saw Joseph James and Billy Phillips sign contract extensions until the end of 2027/28.

At the top, Macclesfield had a more awkward few days. John Rooney collected the Enterprise National League North Manager of the Month award for August after five wins and a draw, but the Silkmen have since played two games with ten men and drawn both. Tom Wilson was sent off after 18 minutes of the goalless home draw with Scarborough Athletic, watched by 2,301, and at Spennymoor Town Fin Shrimpton's goal was cancelled out by Danny Johnson's penalty after Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's dismissal.

Buxton are moving in the opposite direction. Five without reply against Brackley Town, then a 3-1 win over Chester in front of 1,305 at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium. Sisa Tuntulwana, nominated for August's player of the month, made the league's team of the midweek after his double against the Saints, who were then beaten 3-0 at Morecambe — a third straight home league win for Adam Lakeland's side.

The individual honour went to Scarborough Athletic's Rio Allan, the division's leading scorer in August with seven, though the Seadogs have now gone three games without a goal after a 0-0 draw with Merthyr Town.

Elsewhere, Bart Cybulski scored twice as Spalding United beat Bedford Town 2-1 to sit fourth, days after a second-half hat-trick at Spennymoor Town. Worksop Town beat Southport 2-0 through Ryan Viggars and Vaughan Redford, and Chorley's 5-2 win over Darlington was followed by a 2-0 defeat at King's Lynn Town. Oxford City won 3-0 at Radcliffe, who have added Riley Carroll on loan from Salford City and Finley McAllister from Manchester United. League business now pauses for the FA Cup second qualifying round.