National League North more competitive 12 months on, says Town boss

Halifax could move into the top-five if they beat Nuneaton on Saturday and other results go their way.

But 11th-placed Brackley have four games in hand on fifth-placed Stockport and are only nine points behind them.

Heath, who was named as the National League North Manager of the Month on Wednesday, said: “This time last year there were six teams fighting for the top five places, and it went down to the last game.

“This season there’s 10 or 12 - this is strength of this league this year, which means we have to win games.

“If you don’t get three points on any given Saturday you are potentially dropping places. I think that’s the difference from last year.”

Heath also reiterated the unforgiving nature of the division ahead of the visit of Nuneaton, who are 14th and are without a win in their last three matches.

The Town boss added: “Every game is tough. You get games like last Saturday where it’s a scrap and a fight, and there’s not a lot of football played.

“But you get games that are more free-flowing. Whether you’re playing Altribcham or Fylde, if you’re not at it you will get beaten - this is what this league is like.

“Every team, on any given day, can beat any other if they’re not at it. It’s that consistency that everyone is looking for.”