Stafford nicked the points eight minutes from time in this otherwise turgid affair thanks to a first goal from Jimmy Phillips.

The game started well, with both sides hitting the woodwork inside 12 minutes. The first chance fell to Rangers in the fifth minute, when Nick Wellecomme
connected with a lofted ball.

His looping header beat Craig Mawson, who was caught in no-man’s land, but unfortunately for Rangers it hit the crossbar.

Then in the 12th minute, Damian Rouse saw his header from a Droylsden corner pushed on to the post by Tim Sandercombe.

Rangers were forced into a reshuffle on quarter of an hour as Nick Amos went off injured, with Bobby Wilson taking over at centre half and Alex Morris slotting in to central midfield.

Little improvement was forthcoming in the second half, meaning chances were at a premium. Droylsden enjoyed some long spells of possession, but without testing Sandercombe.

Then came the turning point in the 82nd minute. Palmer ran at the defence, only to stand on the ball and appear to blow his chance.

Phillips was alive to the loose ball and took a touch before beating Craig Mawson.

Rangers: Sandercombe, Pierpoint, Loukes, Macpherson, Daniel, Amos (Morris 14), Palmer, Wilson, Wellecombe (McNiven, 90), Phillips, Thorley.

Ref: PR Marsden (Preston).

Att: 443.