Express & Star

Rangers miss play-offs on goal difference

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Stafford Rangers missed out on a play-off place on goal difference despite beating Gresley 1-0 in a nervy encounter at Marston Road.

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A Christian Dacres 90th-minute header was all that separated the two sides, but it was the Moatmen who had the last laugh.

They edged out their opponents to fifth spot in the Evo-Stik Division One South on goal difference.

Rangers manager Neil Kitching said: "We've won and things have gone our way on the pitch today – it's just things haven't gone our way elsewhere.

"I think we have put the heart back into the football club and we will be a force next season."

Rangers came close in the 25th minute when Peter Till crossed to Dacres, but he headed into the side netting before the makeshift forward nodded onto the bar moments later.

Despite losing their goalkeeper to injury the visitors provided a real threat and should have taken the lead on the 34th minute when Luke Edwards ran through on goal but blazed his effort over the bar.

Rangers piled forward they were caught on the break with Kieran O'Connell denied by a goal line Matthew Wood clearance before Adam Whitehouse was forced into a double save moments later.

However, they were rewarded in injury time when James Dance's' free-kick found Dacres, who netted the winner.

Shahriq Ajmal on the ball for Chasetown.

Four teenagers started for Chasetown at Kidsgrove, with Scholars boss Marcus Law having one eye on tonight's Walsall Senior Cup final.

Law made nine changes to the side that lost to Gresley with only full-backs Josh Smith and Jon Haynes keeping their places and three members of the club's scholarship in the side.

Debutant Shahriq Ajmal was the pick of the new players terrorising Grove left-back Ryan Brown with great runs, while defender George Dixon kept veteran striker Dave Walker quiet.

Chasetown's best chances fell to Cameron Stuart from long range while Jono Gould forced goalkeeper Joe Hemmings into a low save.

Kidsgrove caught Chasetown on the break at the start of the second half with Matt Bell turning the ball home following a flowing move.

Hemmings saved well from Nick Turton at his near post and then Warren Holmes bravely blocked a drive from Jelson Antonio.

Kidsgrove doubled their lead through substitute William Booth and the visitors saw out the game with 10 men, after Stuart saw red for two yellow cards.

The result meant Chasetown finished 13th in the Evo-Stik Division One South.

Visitors Market Drayton Town spoiled Tividale's celebrations at saving their status by scoring the only goal of the final league game of the season.

The day was planned as a thank you for the support Tivi received from individuals and companies.

Their quest to pass a ground inspection that secured their place in the Evo-Stik First Division South has proved successful, but the players could not raise their game to match the occasion.

On 19 minutes Tividale had their best chance of the first half when Danny Ashton raced down the right wing.

He pulled the ball back from the by-line to David Bellis who played it into Edwards but from two yards he hit the cross bar.

On 28 minutes Drayton took the lead in bizarre circumstances.

A long ball up field was not dealt with by the usually-reliable Tividale goalkeeper Charlie Price and he allowed Drayton striker Scott Ryan to nip in, round him and walk the ball into the net.

Tividale stepped up the pressure in the second half but could not find a breakthrough.

Substitute Leigh Downing denied in the 90th minute by Drayton goalkeeper Danny Read, ending an unbeaten league run of 13 games.