Stafford Rangers had to dig deep to see off a resilient 1874 Northwich side who proved a tougher nut to crack than their lowly league position suggested.

Ellis Horan was the man who eventually found a way through the 1874 defence before Scott Bakkor secured the points in the final minute of normal time.

The visitors who have earned just one point away from home this season set their stall out to double that tally as they defended in numbers.

Rangers played some nice football in their approach but weren't so fancy when it came to breaking down the opposition defence.

There were some moments of quality such as the pass from Kyle Sambor that put Joe Dunne in but Max Beddow was able to save at the near post, despite almost letting the ball squeeze through his hands.

Beddow acrobatically pushed away a well struck drive from Sambor while Niall Osborne got just ahead of Horan after more clever play from Bakkor had put Dunne in space.

Sambor sent a good chance over the bar after Alfie Friars had intercepted a pass from Tom Tonks.

1874 were restricted to just two real chances in the first half and both could have seen them take the lead.

A good move down their left saw Leon Phillips forced to save at his near post after Kenyatta Mwaliateta had got past Tonks.

The second opening came shortly after the half hour when Courtney Duffus played Samuel Oko in but he sliced his shot wide of the target.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 0 1874 Northwich 0

The goal Rangers needed came ten minutes into the second half.

Quick on the break after Remi Efunnuga had blocked a shot from Evrard Yao, Jack Birch linked with Kyle Sambor who picked out the unmarked Horan to score his second goal in two games since his arrival from Stalybridge.

Luca Navarro – on for Horan – nearly added a second with a first time effort before another Stafford sub – Wealth Da Silva almost squeezed a shot past Beddow.

Beddow pulled off a fine save to keep out Beto Gomes when it looked like the Stafford man would finally break his duck.

While Rangers looked comfortable on the ball, the single goal lead was fragile and one attack from being cancelled out.

An 89th minute free kick gave the visitors a punt on goal and Phillips was forced to tip over from Ibeto.

It was from the corner that Rangers launched another break away which ensured the win.

Bakkor raced away from the half way line and managed to hold off the defender before clipping the ball past Beddow from a tight angle.

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 1874 Northwich 0

Stafford Rangers: 1 Leon Phillips, 2 Beto Gomes, 3 Joe Dunne, 5 Andy Burns, 6 Tom Tonks, 7 Kyle Sambor (4 Todd Ferrier 77m), 9 Scott Bakkor (12 Ty Webster 90+1m), 10 Jack Birch (14 Wealth Da Silva 62m), 15 Mitch Clarke, 16 Ellis Horan (17 Luca Navarro 62m), 19 Remi Efunnuga – Unused Sub: 18 Harvey Washington

1874 Northwich: 1 Max Beddow, 2 Michael Ibeto, 3 Niall Osborne, 4 Alfie Friars, 5 Tom Mitchell, 6 Samuel OK, 7 Kenyattz Mwaliateta, 8 Matthew Woolley (12 Samuel Mann 81m), 9 Courtney Duffus (14 William Igoe 81m), 10 Noel Brindle (17 Joshua Wood 73m), 11 Evrard Yao (15 Kamoy McNair 81m) – Unused Sub:16 Lewis Farmer,

Referee: Kieron Rogers

Cautions: Stafford: Tonks 90+6m, 1874 Northwich: Yao 36m, Brindle 40m

Goals: Stafford: Horan 55m, Bakkor 90m

Att: 1615

Report by Chris Elsley