MARINE moved to within two points of the UniBond League Premier Division summit after a low-key victory over Buxton.

Goals from Shaun Tuck and John Lawless helped the Mariners capitalise on the draw between the league's top two sides, Hednesford and Guiseley, and they are now level on 39 points with the latter.

However, it could have been so different for Marine if their visitors had added a penetrative edge to their dominance of possession, as the Crosby outfit were second best for a large chunk of the match.

Yet when it mattered, the Mariners were ruthless.

First Tuck struck his fifth goal in as many games in the 18th minute, swivelling beautifully to volley in, before Lawless stole the show with another sublime free-kick into the top corner on 76 minutes.

In the time between the Marine goals, the Bucks had opportunities to equalise.

Gavin Knight, Michael Towey and Mark Reed all wasted openings in the Mariners’ area.

But Marine stood firm in the face of Buxton pressure to maintain their title charge.

A third successive league win earned the Mariners their first double of the campaign.