Imagine how you would feel if your team had ended the season with 96 points, but missed out on promotion to a club that finished three places and 23 points behind.

That’s exactly what happened to York City last season as a second-place finish in the National League saw them miss out on automatic promotion to League Two and eventually lose the play-off final to Oldham Athletic.

The National League currently has just one automatic promotion spot with the team that finishes top rising to the Football League and those ending the campaign second to seventh battling it out in the play-offs.

The league and its clubs have launched the 3UP campaign in hopes of adding a third promotion place, and took action at the weekend as all their fixtures kicked of three minutes late at 15:03.

All clubs in the league, including Hampshire sides Aldershot Town and Eastleigh, and the 48 clubs across the National League North and South, including A.F.C Totton and Farnborough, have backed the initiative.

It has also received support from 93% of fans across all divisions, 83% of Football League supports, football organisations, broadcasters, MPs and Prime Minister Kier Starmer.

Mark Whittle, a consultant for the campaign, said: “There’s been a month build-up to this day and during that, we have held political meetings, the Prime Minister has been asked about the campaign in PMQs and commended it.”

While not directly impacted by the campaign, Farnborough have been avid supporters, believing it is crucial for the division and the club itself.

Boro chairman Simon Gardener said: “I think it’s important, because like many a team in our league, we aspire to always take the club further.

“Now if there’s another incentive for us to go that step further and get into the top league (National League), it would benefit the club by loads of different avenues.”

Colden Common are level on points with Whitchurch United, but stay second due to goal difference, after a 4-1 win against Blackfield & Langley. 

That win now sees the Stallions undefeated in their last six league games – they’ve won five in a row. 

But it was Colden Common that were behind, following James Egeland-Jensen’s attempt to clear the ball that was deflected in by striker Ashton Goodger

However, the Watersiders’ lead was short-lived.

Steve Kings’ side turned the game around in just five minutes, going from trailing 1-0 to leading 2-1, thanks to Jimmy Walters’ goal from a corner and Cal Archer’s lob over Jack James.

Despite surrendering their 1-0 lead and falling behind, Blackfield had a chance to level the score immediately, but Daniel Reynolds’ effort was directed wide.

Colden Common continued to pile the pressure on but couldn’t find the back of the net, as Joao Ferreira fired his effort straight at the keeper

And even in the early stages of the second-half, Colden Common struggled to find the back of the net in the early stages of the second half, with Ferrieia and Walters both failing to convert close-range. However, from a resulting corner, Cam Stone’s delivery was met by defender Will Erdinc, who nodded home to give his side a two-goal cushion.

Two minutes later, Erdinc’s pinpoint pass found Ben Sunley, who opted to shoot rather than pass to Walters, but his effort was dragged wide. 

The chances kept coming. Erdinc thought he’d grab a second, but his header was directed wide of the post.

Six minutes later, Erdinc turned provider, when he picked out Sunley, who found the back of the net and seemingly wrapped up the game. 

Colden Common pushed for a fifth late on, but a series of chances fell to nothing. Walters found Ferreira, but James made a great low save. Sammy Middleton’s effort from range flew wide, while Josh Bowerman’s strike was comfortably kept out. The game’s final chance saw Josh Harvey-Grey’s free kick, which looked to curl into the top corner, but was palmed away. 

Next up for the Stallions, it’s a midweek trip to United Services Portsmouth, in the third round of the Wessex League Cup.

Reading 3-2 Carlisle

At the Madjeski, Reading fans faced heartbreak as their team squandered a two-goal lead in the dying minutes, ultimately losing to Carlisle 3-2.

Lewis Wing and Mark O’Mahony had given the Royals a 2-0 advantage. Going into added time the home fans started looking forward to the next round.

But Carlisle’s hero, Regan Linney had other plans scoring twice in injury time and added another in extra time to complete his hat trick and advance the Blues to the second round.

Eastleigh 0-3 Walsall

Meanwhile, at Silverlake Stadium, in front of the BBC cameras, Eastleigh was knocked out by League Two side Walsall.

Evan Weir, Daniel Kanu, and Jamille Matt all found the back of the net for the away side to cap off a dominant display from the visitors allowing them to advance to the second round for the fifth consecutive year, where they will travel up north to face National League side Gateshead.

Macclesfield 6-3 AFC Totton

Totton was unable to replicate its best-ever FA Cup result, suffering a 6-3 defeat away at Macclesfield. A hat trick from Danny Elliot led to the Stags’ downfall, despite them briefly holding the lead midway through the first half after a Scott Randell brace.

However, Macclesfield’s quality ultimately prevailed, as they scored three unanswered goals in the second half to put out the hopes of the away side.

Weston Super Mare 2-1 Aldershot Town

It was another late disappointment for the local teams as Aldershot failed to maintain their 1-0 lead, losing 2-1 to National League South side Weston Super Mare.

With the home side matching their previous best result in the cup, after previously reaching the second round in 2003/04, and will hope to make history as they travel to fellow league side Chelmsford.

The Shots took the lead with a goal from Kiban Rai, but Emlyn Lewis equalised 6 minutes from time then James Waite scored the winner 10 minutes before the end of extra time to secure the victory.