Harrogate RA 1 FC United 3

10/ 4/2008

TWO goals from Stuart Rudd and one from Chris Baguley secured victory for FC United and galvanised their hopes of promotion to the Unibond Premier Division.

Rudd struck in five frantic second-half minutes, his second a wonderful lob from the edge of the box, before Baguley sealed the points.

This was United's first win since March 26 and sees them close the gap with First Division leaders Curzon Ashton to seven points with five games left.

Rebels' boss Karl Marginson was pleased with the ruthlessness his side showed, especially after they had started sluggishly and deservedly found themselves a goal down on 25 minutes from a Ben Jones penalty following Shaun Roscoe's clumsy tackle.

The visitors got back into the match through a combination of determination and quick-passing and equalised on 46 minutes when Rudd turned his marker and rolled the ball past keeper Tom Morgan.

The imposing forward struck again soon after and as the hosts tired the Rebels went for the kill.

Top scorer Rory Patterson almost got the third when he hit the bar with a right-footed strike but Baguley made sure with a close-range shot.