The past week has proved a pivotal one in many ways for football in general, not just for points or titles on the line. Time stood still for seven minutes as matches across the country were delayed in memory of the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. Impeccably observed, attention has quickly turned to the next 90 minutes that would affect league titles, play-off places and relegation.

Last weekend I was at Gander Green Lane as Sutton United beat promotion rivals Ebbsfleet United in a potential dress rehearsal of the Conference South play-offs.

Prior to the delayed kick-off and minute’s silence, I presented Sutton boss Paul Doswell with the Conference South Manager of the Month award for March on behalf of title sponsors Skrill, a feat the U’s boss had achieved for an unprecedented third consecutive month. It was actually a double swoop for Sutton in March as I also presented Gavin McCallum with the Player of the Month award too.

I must have been a good luck charm as Sutton came from a goal behind to win 3-1, thanks to a brace from Jamie Taylor and a goal from Simon Downer. They look increasingly as the side to avoid in this year’s play-offs as they look to gain promotion to the summit of non-league football, the Conference Premier.

Speaking of the Conference Premier, Luton Town won the Conference Premier title this week and in doing so gained promotion back into the Football League after a five-year absence.

The Hatters had the opportunity to win it at home on the weekend in front of a bumper crowd of 10,000 fans but opposition Braintree didn’t read the script and won 3-2, with goals coming from Dean Wells, James Mulley and Chez Isaac.

But John Still’s side were officially back where they belong on Tuesday, without even kicking a ball, after Cambridge United lost 2-0 at Kidderminster Harriers.

A victory for Cambridge would have merely delayed the inevitable but two goals in ten second-half minutes from Amari’i Bell and Michael Gash gave Hatters fans the news they’ve been dreaming of.

Luton’s success captivated social media with players and fans of other clubs congratulating their success, so much so that #LutonAreBack was trending on Twitter.

Also gaining promotion on Tuesday, in a similar circumstance, was Wealdstone who won the Isthmian Premier League and will be playing Conference South football next season. They too had a chance to wrap up the title on Saturday but were held to a 1-1 draw at Grays Athletic. Fast forward to Tuesday and victory against Margate or third-placed Bognor Regis Town losing at Hampton & Richmond Borough would have ensured title honours.

Hampton were doing Gordon Bartlett’s Wealdstone a favour on the night, beating Bognor 3-1 while the Stones were being held 0-0 at Margate. But seven minutes from time former Millwall youngster Charlie Penny scored to make the Bognor result irrelevant and clinch the title with three games to spare.

Such is football, on a night when Luton and Wealdstone were rejoicing in promotion, Dorchester Town were relegated from the Conference South and will be playing in the Southern Premier League next season. The Magpies were in a crunch game at home to relegation rivals Hayes & Yeading but it was the visitors who not only claimed a crucial 2-0 win but sent their counterparts down.

Staying in the Conference South, Eastleigh need just a point to win the league title and gain automatic promotion after Basingstoke Town on Friday, something that didn’t seem possible at the turn of the year when Bromley were 14 points clear at the top.

Credit must be given to Richard Hill and his side, admittedly Bromley have let their lead slip but Eastleigh have had to win their games and look set to be enjoying Conference Premier football at the Silverlake Stadium next season.

Up in the Conference North, the destination of the title remains unclear. North Ferriby United and AFC Telford United are locked at the top on 78 points with just three games remaining.

North Ferriby will look to maintain their first-place position today when they take on Harrogate Town at home, while Telford United are at home too and welcome Gloucester City to New Bucks Head.

At the bottom of the table, Workington’s stay in the Conference North is looking bleak and face a trip to Vauxhall Motors, who have already chosen to resign from the league at the end of the season. Histon and Stalybridge are battling against each other to avoid being the other club relegated

In the Southern, it’s a two-horse race between Hemel Hempstead Town and Chesham United whilst in the Northern it’s one of three as Chorley, FC United of Manchester and AFC Fylde have their eyes on the prize.

The Southern Premier League could be won over the Easter weekend as Hemel take on rivals Chesham on Monday, but before that the league leaders — five points clear at the top — travel to fourth placed Hungerford Town who are aiming to secure a play-off spot.

In the Northern Premier, Chorley — three points ahead of FC United and Fylde — visit Whitby Town to maintain their title charge. FC United and Fylde face Stamford and Grantham Town respectively and should neither side beat Chorley to the title then finishing second place and having home advantage in the play-off final will be just as important.

One ground I’ve been at the most this season has been Hampton’s Beveree Stadium and I didn’t bat an eyelid when I saw Charlie Moone’s name on the scoresheet against Bognor. In fact, it came as no surprise to me to see him bag a hat-trick, he’s been doing that for fun this campaign.

The striker’s three goals on Tuesday took his tally up to a staggering 34 league goals, only four of which have come from the penalty spot. Chairman Steve McPherson was understandably concerned a higher placed club would snap up the hot-shot striker so he was given a contract until the end of this season.