Midway through the half, Stalybridge got their first look in, but Paddy Lacey shot tamely at Jono Brown from a good position. Rangers were dealt a blow on 26 minutes when skipper Jon Moran limped off with a hamstring injury, but they put it behind them and finally took the lead on 33 minutes when Fojticek dropped Green’s free kick into his own net. The Stalybridge keeper felt he had been fouled and saw yellow for his protests. Five minutes later, Tom Thorley - replacement for Moran - almost ended a good move in spectacular fashion as he threw himself towards Charles’ cross but couldn’t get enough direction on his header. Sam Coulson also came close to a spectacular goal when he launched the ball from the halfway line, forcing Fojticek to back track and tip over. If the first half was Stafford’s, the second belonged to Stalybridge. Declan Walker struck a low free kick straight at Brown who then went low to save from Adam O’Reilly, but Chris Smalley should have levelled the scores when he headed wide when left unmarked from Walker’s corner. The warning signs were there, and Craig Hobson fired in the equaliser on 58 minutes when he beat Brown from a tight angle after good approach play from O’Reilly. Diau’s glancing header almost restored Stafford’s lead with Scott Metcalfe forced to clear off the line. Diau went close again when he managed to beat Fojticek to Green’s deep ball in, but he was unable to keep the ball on target. Stalybridge looked the most threatening in the final stages with Ustabasi and Hobson both shooting wide. Ustabasi went close again in added time but his shot went across the face of goal and inches wide of the far post. Referee: Alistair Nelson Cautions: Bignot (Stafford), Fojticek, Metcalfe (Stalybridge)