ROB MARSH-EVANS was the hero for Vauxhalls as his solitary strike was enough to give the Motormen all three Blue Square North points against cash-strapped Stafford Rangers.
With striker Karl Noon out injured, manager Carl Macauley opted to play a 4-5-1 formation with Saul Otobo the lone striker and tactically this paid off as Vauxhall defended deeply and resorted to hitting Stafford on the break.
Stafford striker David McNiven wasted a great opportunity on 20 minutes when he was left unmarked 10 yards out. However, he pulled his shot wide.
Vauxhall keeper James Coates was kept the busier and pulled off a string of fine saves and when Coates was eventually beaten, the woodwork repelled Andre Francis’s bullet header.
The Motormen created their decisive effort in the 72nd minute when centre-half Marsh-Evans went on a great run from his own half and eventually passed to Otobo on the edge of the box. Otobo held the ball up well before laying it off for Marsh-Evans, who produced a finish that any striker would be proud, sliding the ball neatly into the bottom corner.
Rangers wasted their best opportunity to level after 86 minutes when Jake Moult’s cross picked out David McNiven unmarked at the back post. However he somehow glanced his header wide from six yards out.
