Harrogate Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2

Saturday 10th December 2005
Harrogate Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2
Nationwide North
At: Wetherby Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 505
Weather: sunny
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 48:53

Stafford Rangers maintained their three-point advantage at the top of the Conference North table with a comfortable victory over promotion rivals Harrogate Town. Kevin Street and Neil Grayson scored the goals in the second half with spectacular strikes to become the first side to win in the league at Wetherby Road this season.

Phil Robinson made one change with Levi Reid starting for the first time since September. And the former Port Vale midfielder justified his place in the side, ahead of Liam Murray, with an excellent hard-working performance. Lee Downes returned from injury with a place on the bench but striker Peter Thomson was still not fit enough to participate.

With floodlights on from the start, Harrogate got the action underway attacking the changing rooms end in the first half – right to left in relation to my seat in the press box.

Chances were scare during the opening half hour with, perhaps, Harrogate, ahead in terms of possession. Chris Ellerker drove wide from 25 yards out and a low shot from the giant striker Marc Smith was kept out by the diving Dean Williams.

Stafford’s first serious attempt on goal came just after the half-hour when Nathan Smith beat a couple of defenders before firing over the bar. The chance started a long period of dominance for the league leaders that was to last until the final whistle.

Stafford's Assistant manager Paul Groves drove inches over the bar and, just before the interval, saves from home goalkeeper Michael Price prevented both Nathan Smith and Grayson from giving Stafford the lead.

However, Price could do nothing to keep out Kevin Street’s shot in the 49th minute which put Stafford ahead. From a corner, the former Shrewsbury midfielder fired home from 20 yards just inside the right-hand post.

Rangers could have easily doubled their advantage sooner than they did but for the heroics of goalkeeper Price. He first made a fine save from Reid and then kept a low shot from Nathan Smith with his legs.

Eventually, Stafford’s second goal went in the 68th minute. Street chased the ball down the left and played it back to Talbott who crossed low to the ‘D’. With a first-time shot, Grayson hammered the ball into the roof of the net to score what the veteran described as one of the best goals he had scored for a while.

The only black spot on the game was a 19-man tussle sparked by a heavy challenge on Stafford substitute Danny Edwards in the 79th minute. Nathan Smith and Town's skipper Roy Hunter, a former West Bromwhich Albion trainee, were both booked for their part in the incident.

Harrogate ended up finishing the game with ten men. Defender Chris Mason appeared to kick Craig Lovatt off the ball in the 86th minute and received a straight red card after the referee consulted his assistant.

Nathan Smith should have made it three in injury time. Set up by Reid, the youngster got round Price before slicing wide of an empty net.

Harrogate Town (yellow and black stripes with yellow sleeves / black / black): 1. Michael Price, 2. Jamie Heard, 3. Richard Dunning, 4. Leigh Wood, 5. Chris Mason, 6. Chris Ellerker, 7. Ben Jones, 8. Roy Hunter, 9. Marc Smith, 10. Danny Holland, 11. Lee Philpott. Sibs: 12. Tony Lennon (for Ellerker, 18), 14. Jason Wray (for Lennon, 58), 15. Chris Coupe (for Jones, 80), GK. Liam Sutcliffe (not used).

Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Liam Murray (not used), 14. Danny Edwards (for Gibson, 75), 15. Dave Walker (not used), 16. Lee Downes (not used), 17. Phil Robinson (not used).

Referee: M. Foley (Sheffield).

Goals:
0-1 Kevin Street (49)
0-2 Neil Grayson (68)

Cards:
Harrogate: Roy Hunter (YC, 79), Chris Mason (RC, 86)
Stafford: Nathan Smith (YC, 79)

Oldham Town 3 Maine Road 0

Tuesday 6th December 2005
Oldham Town 3 Maine Road 0
Moore and Co Solicitors North West Counties League Cup
At: Whitebank Stadium
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: none
Attendance: 30 (headcount)
Weather: cold, dry
Duration: first-half: 45:26; second-half: 46:40

Division 2 side Oldham Town proved too strong for higher-ranked Maine Road of Division 1 as they progressed to the next round with a 3-0 victory. It was a particularly memorable night for James Curley who bagged a hat-trick.

This game was rearranged as the original tie was abandoned due to floodlight failure with the score at 1-1.

Oldham Town played at the Whitebank Stadium, located to the south of Oldham Town Centre. There are three separate stands at the top of the slope, close to the entrance with one containing seats. Another area of covered standing is located behind the bottom goal with an additional seated stand on the far touchline near the top corner. Last but no least is a further area of covered standing in the corner by the entance on the near touchline - a total of six separate stands!

Maine Road (in yellow shirts, blue shorts and yellow socks) got the game underway attacking up the slope in the first half. It was an opening attacking start by both sides though the visitors were on top by the quarter hour mark.

Oldham took the lead in the 36th minute. Curley took the ball into the area on the right with defender John Mason alongside. The striker had enough space to hit an angled into the opposite bottom-left corner of the net.

Curley soon broke clear but was forced wide by the advancing keeper. He still was able to cut in and shot over the bar.

A slip by Mark Clancy in the 39th minute allowed Curley to get past Maine Road keeper Greg Hall and slot into an empty net to double Oldham’s lead.

Maine Road had a couple of chances around the hour mark to get back into the game. Mark Mitchell blasted a free-kick at the wall after keeper Oldham David Cornell had fouled Gareth Richards just outside the area. Richards then fired over from the left corner of the area.

Oldham certainly had to battle to retain their two-goal advantage and survived a scare in the 78th minute. Jerome Wright drove a free-kick from the left across the face of goal which Chris Simms got a touch to but couldn’t direct the ball on target.

The outcome was put beyond doubt in the 82nd minute when Curley completed his hat-trick. Chasing a long ball, he charged down Hall’s clearance and slotted into an empty net.

In the closing stages, Jonathan Phillips fired just wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the area and, at the other end, Cornell got down to save and hold a low shot from Richards.

Oldham Town (blue/white/white): 1. David Cornell, 2. Andrew Kennedy, 3. Chris Ward, 4. Jonathan Phillips, 5. Tony Hanlon (capt), 6. John Joyce, 7. Ashley Leith, 8. Nathan Everritt, 9. Darren Scanlon, 10. James Curley, 11. Lee Neville. Subs: 12. Dave Bowker (for Curley, 85), 15. Leon Meilier (for Leith, 68), 16. Aaron Hopwood (for Ward, 24).

Maine Road (yellow/blue/yellow): 1. Greg Hall, 2. Chris Simms, 3. Mark Clancy, 4. Alex Jay (capt), 5. John Mason, 6. Colin Marshall, 7. Mike Senior, 8. Mark Mitchell, 9. Gareth Richards, 10. Steven Cheetham, 11. Jerome Wright. Subs: 12. Lee Ashton (for Clancy, 82), 14. Paul Wadsworth (for Cheetham, 82), 15. John Rawlinson (for Marshall, ht).

Referee: T. Massey.

Goals:
1-0 James Curley (36)
2-0 James Curley (39)
3-0 James Curley (82)

Cards:
Oldham: none
Maine Road: Steven Cheetham (YC, 50)

Stafford Rangers 3 Gainsborough Trinity 0

Saturday 3rd December 2005
Stafford Rangers 3 Gainsborough Trinity 0
Nationwide North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £2 (48 pages)
Attendance: 704
Weather: dull, overcast, showers
Duration: first-half: 45:53; second-half: 48:37

Stafford Rangers returned to the top of the Conference North table with a deserved victory. Leading scorer Nathan Smith gave Rangers an early lead with Kevin Street and Neil Grayson finding the net in the second half to break the stubborn resistance of midtable Gainsborough.

Gainsborough (in all yellow) got the game underway attacking the Social Club End. They enjoyed plenty of possession during a lively start and Jamie Sherlock drove over the bar.

Nathan Smith sent a right-foot drive inches wide, as Stafford got going, before opening the scoring in the 13th minute. After combining with Neil Grayson, Smith hit a rising shot which slipped through the hands of visiting goalkeeper Jamie Holmshaw. Despite attempts to clear on the line, a raised assistant’s flag signalled a goal for Smith before Paul Groves, following-up, forced the ball into the net to make sure.

Stafford kept going forward and, four minutes later, Robin Gibson found Smith who pulled the ball back from the right bye-line. Kevin Street fired low from 30 yards out but a deflection of Trinity’s Danny Wood took the pace off the ball and Holmshaw gathered up.

Stafford continued to threaten. Smith again went close with a low drive and Craig McAughtrie curled a long-range free-kick inches wide. Street dribbled into the Gainsborough area only to be thwarted by a brave tackle from Richard Pell. The ball ran free and Grayson blasted a first-time shot over the bar.

Just before the break, Adam Burley volleyed a rare Trinity chance straight at Rangers goalkeeper Dean Williams.

There was a ten-minute delay to the second half while a replacement match official was found after the referee was unable to resume after the interval. Dr Michael Lee answered an appeal and he ran the line with Mr Stanier taking over from Mr Heywood in the middle.

When play resumed, both Alex Higgins and Tom Baker fired at Williams as the visitors tried to get back on level terms.

Grayson wasted a great chance by shooting weakly at Holmshaw before creating Stafford’s second goal in the 64th minute. He ran towards goal only to be thwarted and Street bundled the ball home.

The lead would have been further extended had Holmshaw not kept out a low Smith shot with his boot. Skipper Wayne Daniel had a header cleared off the line before Ranges added their third goal in the closing stages. Substitute Dave Walker crossed low from the right and Grayson slotted the ball past Holmshaw at close range.

Walker went agonisingly close to adding a fourth in injury time. Latching on to a long clearance by Williams, he slipped the ball past Holmshaw but also narrowly wide of the far post.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Liam Murray, 7. Craig Lovatt, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Danny Edwards (for Gibson, 74), 14. Dave Walker (for Smith, 84), 15. Levi Reid (for Murray, 63), 16. Phil Robinson (not used), 17. Alex Gibson (not used).

Gainsborough Trinity (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Jamie Holmshaw, 2. Danny Wood, 3, Adam Burley (capt), 4. Nick Ellis, 5. Richard Pell, 6. Alex Higgins, 7. Charlie Trout, 8. Jamie Sherlock, 9. David Reeves, 10. Tom Baker, 11. Ryan Mallon. Subs: 12. Jamie Smith, 14. Wes Parker, 15. John Rowan, 16. Liam Parker, 17. Menga Lheureux (all not used).

Referee: M. Heywood (Northwich) replaced at half-time by B. Stainer (Warrington).
Assistants: B. Stainer (Warrington; replaced by M. Lee) and I. Hurdle (Holmes Chapel).

Goals:
1-0 Nathan Smith (13)
2-0 Kevin Street (64)
3-0 Neil Grayson (86)

Cards:
Stafford: none
Gainsborough: none

Non-League Paper Star Man: Kevin Street.

Leigh RMI 1 Stafford Rangers 4

Saturday 26th November 2005
Leigh RMI 1 Stafford Rangers 4
FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
At: Hilton Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £2 (32 pages)
Attendance: 165
Weather: sunny
Duration: first-half: 47:03; second-half: 48:56

Stafford Rangers followed up last month’s 3-1 victory in the league at Hilton Park with another comfortable win by an ever greater margin over Leigh RMI. Today, they were forced to work hard during the first quarter of this FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round tie before recording what turned out to be a comfortable victory. Nathan Talbott put them ahead and also scored a late fourth goal while Dave Walker and Neil Grayson also found the net. Leigh finished the game with ten men while Stafford pocketed a cheque for £3,000 and a place in the First Round draw which will be made on Monday.

Phil Robinson opted to field Grayson and Walker as his two strikers. The usual duo of Peter Thomson and Nathan Smith had been injured and weren’t considered right to start the game. Like Walker, defender Liam Murray also came into a team which the manager felt good enough to win the tie – and his judgement was spot on.

After the game, Robinson said: “It is a fantastic result which gets us through to the next round. I thought we were a little bit slow to start in the first half but in the second half stronger and dominated the last 45 minutes. I think we were good value for the four goals over the course of the game and maybe got another couple.”

Leigh, struggling near the foot of the Conference North table, enjoyed plenty of early possession. They went close to scoring when Gareth Stoker curled a free-kick inches wide and Ian Taylor sent a dipping shot just over the bar.

Rangers, forced to work hard for the ball, took the lead against the run of play in the 22nd minute. Walker, on the left, found Craig Lovatt inside the six-yard box who should have scored instead of firing against the boot of home goalkeeper John Lamb. Lovatt picked up the loose ball and rolled it to Talbott who fired home.

However, Leigh equalised just 68 seconds later when Chris Simm sent a rising 25-yard drive thundering which Dean Williams had no chance of keeping out.

Stafford regained the lead in the 27th minute and never looked in danger of losing. From a long throw from Murray, Grayson flicked the ball down to Walker who sidefooted home his first competitive goal for the club at close range.

Robin Gibson replaced Danny Edwards just after the hour mark and his first contribution was to set up Stafford’s third goal. He delivered a low cross from the right into the six-yard box which the sliding Grayson directed into the net.

Leigh’s slim hopes of salvaging a draw were all but ended in the 78th minute. Neil Smith and Grayson were both booked for their part in a tussle involving several players inside home penalty area. Unfortunately for the Leigh defender, his second yellow card in three minutes was swiftly followed by a red one.

Talbott had never scored twice in a game but now can boast a first career brace. In the 84th minute, he latched onto a chip over the Leigh defence by Walker and fired past Lamb from 10 yards out for Stafford’s fourth goal. His performance didn’t go unnoticed by the Non-League Paper’s reporter who named him as Star Man.

Leigh RMI (red and white stripes / black / black): 1. John Lamb, 2. Tony Dunne, 3. Andy Roscoe (capt), 4. Gareth Stoker, 5. Neil Smith, 6. Steve Brockley, 7. Mark Drew, 8. Steve Smith, 9. Ben Ashmole, 10. Chris Simm, 11. Ian Taylor. Subs: 12. Lee Atherton (not used), 14. Adam Girdlestone (for Steve Smith, 79), 15. Paul Lewis (not used), 16. Steve Settle (for Drew, 65), 17. Graham Tench (not used).

Stafford Rangers (yellow/red/red): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Liam Murray, 7. Craig Lovatt, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Dave Walker, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Alan Dodd (not used), 14. Robin Gibson (for Edwards, 62), 15. Levi Reid (for Lovatt, 90), 16. Nathan Smith (not used), Peter Thomson (not used).

Referee: D. W. Stewart (Wallasey).
Assistants: P. J. Croft (Birkenhead) and W. E. Gresty (Chester).

Goals:
0-1 Nathan Talbott (23)
1-1 Chris Simm (24)
1-2 Dave Walker (27)
1-3 Neil Gryason (62)
1-4 Nathan Talbott (84)

Cards:
Leigh RMI: Neil Smith (YC), Steve Smith (YC, 66), Neil Smith (YC/RC, 78)
Stafford: Robin Gibson (YC, 66), Neil Grayson (YC, 78)

Stafford Rangers Res 1 Kettering Town Res 1

Wednesday 23rd November 2005
Stafford Rangers Reserves 1 Kettering Town Reserves 1
Central Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: free teamsheet
Attendance: 96
Weather: cold, dry
Duration (45): first-half: 42:05; second-half: 47:38

The presence of recently-appointed Kettering Town manager Paul Gascoigne at Marston Road resulted in double the attendance the reserves usually attract.

Stafford Rangers got the game underway attacking the Town End in the first half with captain Robin Gibson wearing the ‘17’ shirt rather than the ‘7’. They dominated the first half in terms of chances and possession and Dave Walker had a couple of decent scoring opportunities. He headed wide a cross from Alex Gibbons after good work by Jamie Phoenix and also forced Kettering’s goalkeeper Craig Patterson into a fiving save.

While Kettering were more livelier after the break, Stafford continued to threaten and Patterson turned round a well-strick 20-yard free-kick hit by Levi Reid.

Despite of their pressure, Stafford couldn’t find the net and it was Kettering who opened the scoring in the 73rd minute. A slip by Levi Reid allowed Michael McKenzie to get clear past the tackle of Jemiah Richards and beat Matt Sargeant from 15 yards out.

Sargeant produced a flying save to hold a shot from Matt Peacock as the visitors almost doubled their lead in the 87th minute.

Stafford kept in touch and Gibson saw a shot from Walker’s cross headed clear from in front of goal by Stuart McClosty.

Eventually, Stafford equalised in the second minute of stoppage time when Substitute Richie Miller crossed from the left which Patterson dropped the ball into the net.

Stafford Rangers Reserves (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Matt Sargeant, 2. Alex Gibson, 3. Matt Skinner, 4. Levi Reid, 5. Jemiah Richards, 6. Liam Murray, 17. Robin Gibson (capt), 8. Alex Gibbons, 9. Ross Clarke, 10. Dave Walker, 11. Jamie Phoenix. Subs: 12. Andre Francis (for Reid, 82), 14. Courtney Shaw (for Clarke, 57), 15. Richard Miller (for Phoenix, 66), 16. Byron Benton (not used), 17. Dan Holgate (not used).

Kettering Town Reserves (red/red/red): 1. Craig Patterson, 2. David Blake, 3. Don Thompson, 4. Kevin Dixon (capt), 5. Mark Njotsa, 6. Craig Attwood, 7. Michael McKenzie, 8. Joe Cooper, 9. Steven Slade, 10. Chris Difante, 11. Ryan Zico-Black. Subs: 12. Ibrahim Kevegyir (not used), 14. Tom Ingram (for Slade, 61), 15. Matt Peacock (for McKenzie, 82), 16. Stuart McClosty (for Njosta, ht).

Referee: Terry Holbrook (Wolverhampton).
Assistants: Glyn Thomas (Walsall) and Adam Mullins (Rugeley).

Goals:
0-1 Michael McKenzie (73)
1-1 Richard Miller (90+2)

Cards:
Stafford: none
Kettering: none

Barrow 1 Stafford Rangers 1

Saturday 19th November 2005
Barrow 1 Stafford Rangers 1
Nationwide North
At: Holker Street
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme:-
Attendance: 907
Weather: cold, dry, freezing pitch
Duration: first-half: 45:55; second-half: 50:15

Neil Grayson grabbed a late equaliser at a cold Holker Street to salvage a point for Stafford Rangers. The veteran striker prodded the ball home at close range from a knockdown by Wayne Daniel to cancel out Tom Cowan's opening goal scored for Barrow early in the second half.

With plenty of time on my hands before kick-off, I saw the opening exchanges of Furness Cavaliers’ home game on their ground next to Holker Street, which kicked-off early due a lack of floodlights.

At the main reason for heading up to Cumbria, Barrow got the game underway attacking the changing rooms end in the first half.

Rangers welcomed back defender Craig McAughtrie after a five-match absence through injury. Lee Downes was missing again but both Nathan Talbott and Peter Thomson passed fitness tests to take their place in the starting line-up.

The home side, without a manager following the sacking of Lee Turnball last Thursday, were hit by injury and suspension, which sidelined a long list of regulars and forced a teenager to make a rare start in goal.

On a Holker Street pitch that survived a precautionary 10 am inspection, Stafford should have taken the lead in the 14th minute. Grayson deep left-wing cross fell to Danny Edwards who couldn’t get in a shot.

Thomson, who had a goal disallowed for offside, put Nathan Smith clear soon after but Boro’s leading scorer sliced a shot well wide. Bizarrely, the referee awarded a corner even though the shot went nowhere near goalkeeper Ben Morsby.

Kevin Street saw a deflected shot deflected into the arms of Morsby as it appeared likely that Boro would eventually be rewarded with a goal. But Barrow battled into the game and mounted a strong challenge in the latter stages of the first half. Dean Williams, however, was rarely troubled and Paul Howarth flicked a near-post corner over the bar.

Barrow continued to dominate after the break and Gavin Knight fired straight at Williams.

The same player forced a great save out of the Rangers keeper, which led to Barrow taking the lead in the 56th minute. From the resulting corner, a shot from Chris Taylor was blocked on the line by Williams but Cowan drove home the loose ball.

Barrow could have extended their lead and put the outcome beyond doubt. Mike Rushton fired wide under pressure from Talbott and Darren Edmondson missed the target by inches with a header.

With time running out, Grayson struck to earn a point in the 88th minute, which could prove vital if the promotion race proved to be as tight as many predict. Levi Reid lifted a cross from the left towards the far post. Wayne Daniel headed the ball goalwards to Grayson to slot home at close range.

Barrow (white/blue/white): 1. Ben Morsby, 2. James Cotterill, 3. Steve Ridley, 4. Darren Edmondson (capt), 5. Kevin Dawson, 6. Tom Cowan, 7. Mike Rushton, 8. Paul Howarth, 9. Andy Hill, 10. Gavin Knight, 11. Chris Taylor. Subs: 12. Mike Kewley (not used), 14. Guy Heffernan (for Cowan, 65), 15. Jonathan Smith (for Rushton, 90+5), 16. Paul Raven (for Howarth, 90+1), 17. Phil Coombe.

Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Neil Grayson, 7. Craig Lovatt, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Peter Thomson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Alan Dodd (not used), 14. Robin Gibson (for Thomson, 61), 15. Dave Walker (not used), 16. Liam Murray (not used), 17. Levi Reid (for Edwards, 61).

Referee: Mr R. L. Metcalfe (Fulwood).
Assistants: W. King and R. Skeath.

Goals:
1-0 Tom Cowan (55)
1-1 Neil Grayson (88)

Cards:
Barrow: Tom Cowan (YC, 48), Steve Ridley (YC, 72), Darren Edmondson (YC, 82)
Stafford: Craig McAughtrie (YC, 76)

Stafford Rangers 2 Hinckley United 3

Saturday 12th November 2005
Stafford Rangers 2 Hinckley United 3
Nationwide North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £2 (48 pages)
Attendance: 964
Weather: sunny
Duration: first-half: 46:56; second-half: 48:10

The ‘Manager of the Month curse’ struck again as Conference North leaders Stafford Rangers were left stunned by Hinckley United’s last minute winner.

Before the game, Stafford boss Phil Robinson received a large bottle of Champagne to mark his second Manager of the Month award of the season.

Stafford got the game underway attacking the Shed/Town End in the first half and defening into a low sun. They dominated the first half and Danny Edwards should have put away a simple chance after just 3 minutes. With an open goal to aim at, the winger sidefooted against the bar after Nathan Talbott burst through the visitors defence.

Hinckley were fortunate to retain all eleven players when midfielder Richard Lavery escaped with just a yellow card for a crunching two-footed tackle on Stafford’s leading scorer Nathan Smith.

It was no surprise when Rangers took the lead in the 14th minute, after Smith hit an angled shot on target from the left corner of the area. Goalkeeper Danny Haystead failed to hold and the ball went in off own defender Brad Piercewright under pressure from Peter Thomson.

The home side kept up the attack and Thomson sent a low drive flashing past the post.

As the interval approached, Hinckley got more into the game and levelled in first half injury time. Lee Colkin slotted home a low cross from Marc McGregor at close range.

The visitors stunned Boro by taking the lead six minutes after the resrart. Jamie Lenton took advantage of poor defending to drill a low shot past Dean Williams from 10 yards out. McGregor fired over the bar as Hinckely looked to extend their advantage.

However, substitute Levi Reid was unlucky not to equalise with a low shot from 25 yards that rebounded off the left-hand post with Haystead beaten.

Eventually, Stafford’s pressure was turned into a levelling 77th minute goal. Neil Grayson headed down a Reid cross for Thomson to slot home.

Rangers mounted a storming finish, and had Hinckley hanging on for what looked like a point, until they conceded a 90th minute winner on the break. Substitutes Jemaine Palmer and Owen Story combined with the latter scoring with a low shot that cost Stafford top spot in the table.

The visitors should have added a fourth in injury time. Lenton got on the end of a pass from Palmer inside the six-yard box but the ball somehow went over the bar.

Nathan Talbott was named Non-League Paper Star Man and the Sponsors’ Man of the Match as well.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Alan Dodd, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Neil Grayson, 7. Craig Lovatt, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Peter Thomson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Liam Murray (not used), 14. Levi Reid (for Edwards, 61), 15. Dave Walker (not used), 16. Alex Gibson (not used), 17. Robin Gibson (for Smith, 87).

Hinckley United (blue/blue/red): 1. Dan Haystead, 2. Neil Cartwright, 3. Jamie Lenton, 4. Richard Lavery, 5. Carl Heeley (capt), 6. Brad Piercewright, 7. Stuart Storer, 8. Leon Jackson, 9. Marc McGregor, 10. Laurant Cluzel, 11. Lee Colkin. Subs: 12. Andy Brown (not used), 14. Jermaine Palmer (for McGregor, 72), 15. Sam Shilton (not used), 16. Owen Story (for Cluzel, 81), 17. Leigh Platnauer (not used).

Referee: E. J. Tarry (Wythenshawe)
Assistants: R. J. Woodward (Congleton) and S. P. Wright (Sale).

Goals:
1-0 Brad Piercewright (14 og)
1-1 Lee Colkin (45+2)
1-2 Jamie Lenton (51)
2-2 Peter Thomson (77)
2-3 Owen Story (90)

Cards:
Stafford: none
Hinckley: Richard Lavery (YC, 7), Laurant Cluzel (YC, 39), Owen Story (YC, 90)