Barnet have extended their lead at the top of the Conference Premier to eight points after John Akinde's hat-trick gave the Bees a 3-1 win at home to bottom side AFC Telford United.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring in the first minute before doubling his side's lead from the spot midway through the first half.

Though Sean Cooke pulled a goal back in the 35th minute, another penalty converted by Akinde with seven minutes to play secured Barnet the win.

Grimsby Town fell further behind the pacesetters as they laboured to a 1-1 draw away at Altrincham, with Scott Leather's last-minute goal cancelling out Nathan Arnold's 67th-minute strike.

Gateshead, Bristol Rovers and Macclesfield town failed to cement themselves in the playoffs after their inability to secure wins on Saturday.

The North East outfit lost 1-0 away at Chester FC, while Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw against Kidderminster Harriers and Macclesfield played out a goalless stalemate away at Welling United.

Dartford and Southport, struggling near the drop zone, played out a 1-1 draw that did neither side any favours, while Aldershot compounded Nuneaton Town's relegation fears with a 1-0 win at the Recreation Ground.

In other results, Alfreton Town succumbed to a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to 10-man Dover Athletic, Braintree earned a 1-0 win against Wrexham, and Torquay United and Forest Green Rovers played out a lively 3-3 draw.

The game between Eastleigh and Lincoln City was bizarrely postponed following an explosion in the sauna room of the away side's hotel.

Results in full: Aldershot 1-0 Nuneaton, Alfreton 2-3 Dover, Altrincham 1-1 Grimsby, Barnet 3-1 Telford, Braintree 1-0 Wrexham, Bristol Rovers 1-1 Kidderminster, Chester 1-0 Gateshead, Dartford 1-1 Southport, Torquay 3-3 Forest Green, Welling 0-0 Macclesfield, Eastleigh P-P Lincoln City