FC United keep up charge

 Source: MEN

 Tony Glennon

 FC United boss Karl Marginson is urging his rampant Rebels to keep their eyes fixed on the promotion prize after a nervy 2-1 victory over fellow play-off candidates Worksop.

Marginson’s men needed a James Cotterill own-goal to tame the Tigers and secure their seventh win of a nine-game unbeaten run.

Mike Norton opened the scoring for FC before Worksop’s former Stockport striker Luke Beckett made it all-square.

But Cotterill then turned a Matthew Tierney cross past his own keeper to gift FC a triumph which means they will return to the Evo-Stik Premier play-off places if they can win at North Ferriby on Tuesday night.

Marginson said: “At this stage of the season, it’s results that matter. We’re right in the mix, which is amazing considering where we were just a couple of months ago but we have to keep going.”

Altrincham suffered another blow to their Blue Square Bet Premier survival hopes as they crashed 2-1 at Newport, Damian Reeves on target.

The defeat came just hours after chairman Grahame Rowley revealed that the Robins will consider selling the naming rights to their Moss Lane ground following the loss of their shirt sponsor.

Hyde’s chances of avoiding relegation from Blue Square Bet North were similarly hit in a 3-2 defeat at Solihull while Droylsden’s slump continued with a 2-0 loss at Workington, although both Luke Holden and Jody Banim missed penalties.

Sub Lee Elam struck to earn Stalybridge a 1-1 draw with Hinckley while goals from Jonathan Bathurst and Aaron Burns gave Ashton United a 2-0 victory in their Evo-Stik Premier relegation battle at Nantwich.

Northwich survived defender Mike Byron’s dismissal to reignite their promotion bid with Andy Fowler and Ritchie Allen on target in their 2-1 win at North Ferriby.

Curzon Ashton’s Evo-Stik North promotion drive stalled in a goalless draw at Radcliffe – Boro’s first stalemate in 87 games. Garry Flitcroft’s Chorley edged nearer runaway leaders Chester, who were held by Witton, with debutant striker Steve Foster, signed from Salford, among their scorers in a 3-1 win at Mossley.