Stafford Rangers . . . 1 Vauxhall Motors . . . 1

by Alan Bartlam

OWEN Brown's Vauxhall Motors warmed up for this weekend's big FA Cup tie at home to Unibond Premier Division leaders Workington at Rivacre Park, by extending their recent good run to four games with a vital point at Stafford Rangers.

It could well have been their fourth successive victory, had they not been denied a blatant penalty late on, when Peter Cumiskey was brought down by the home 'keeper. Earlier, the Motormen dominated the opening half and really ought to have been in front 10 minutes before Wayne McDermott's tremendous 28th minute volley from around 30 yards left Rangers' 'keeper Dormand rooted to the spot.

The home side equalised nine minutes later, when Neil Grayson benefited from a most fortunate ricochet to slide the ball under the advancing Vauxhall 'keeper Tim Dittmer. But in the second-half the roles were reversed and it took two superb saves by Dittmer to keep Rangers out. The Motormen rallied late on and went close through both Darren Wright and Cumiskey either side of the penalty appeal.

Now all attention turns back to the FA Cup and this Saturday's meeting with former Football League club Workington, who are presently on the crest of a wave - but the Motormen will still start slight favourites with home advantage.