Stafford Rangers manager Matt Elliott has told his side their only focus is their must-win game at Stalybridge – but believes Corby could do them the ultimate favour.

Rangers need three points tomorrow and hope that Hyde fail beat Corby to avoid relegation from the Blue Square North on the last day of the season.

It was winning at Corby that kept Elliott’s men alive last weekend and, seven days later, Hyde must do the same to be sure of safety.

The manager will be keeping a keen eye on events at Rockingham Road, but is keen to ensure that none of it filters through to the players.

Stalybridge can’t go higher or lower than 10th place whatever happens but will want to send the fans home happy at the Bower Fold, although the need is far greater for Rangers.

And Elliott is refusing to look beyond the task in hand.

He said: “We have to be concerned with ourselves, obviously on the touch-line we will be looking at the Hyde result but Stalybridge are going to be stiff opposition themselves.

“They had a couple of good results both last Saturday and Monday and have banged in seven goals in those two games, so we will have to deal with them first and hope for the best.

“They are a decent side on their day, they are certainly not letting their season peter out and we will have our hands full.”

Corby’s inconsistent form has seen them beat Droylsden – who drubbed Elliott’s men 5-1 at Marston Road earlier this month – and then lose to Rangers in their last two home games.

Elliott has got his fingers crossed that the good side of the Steelmen will turn up tomorrow.

He said: “Corby are a funny side – they blow hot and cold. It’s first to say they weren’t at their best against us, which was advantageous, but it was certainly one of our better performances.

“It was the first time we had scored three goals away from home this season and was the first time since I came to the club we have actually been two goals ahead, from my memory.

“But it wasn’t so long ago – the game prior to facing us, in fact – that Corby turned over Droylsden, so they are capable of pulling off a result for us.”