Fight will go down to wire

Phil Robinson blamed tired legs as Rangers slipped deeper into relegation trouble after a nightmare Easter programme.

Rangers came out of their Bank Holiday weekend double-header pointless after they were beaten 4-2 by Aldershot yesterday – and their relegation worries were compounded by wins for fellow strugglers Grays Athletic and Cambridge United.

Stafford are now seperated from the drop zone by just two points and one place.

Boss Robinson is now hoping that a few days rest will inspire them to bounce back against play-off hopefuls York City on Saturday.

"I thought it we found it a little bit difficult to last the pace," was Robinson's verdict after seeing Aldershot play at a high tempo for most of the game. "We are looking forward to a few days where we can recover and get ready for the game on Saturday."

Rangers showed plenty of spirit as they recovered from going a goal behind twice.

"In the first half we had a go, completed and did well to twice equalise. But the longer the game went on we started to look jaded," Robinson said.

Rangers' now fight to avoid relegation now looks set to go down to the wire – and with three of the division's high fliers still to come there could be more drama before the season ends.

Robinson's men face York and Northwich at home before a tricky trip to second-placed Oxford. They then finish with a home tie against Gravesend, who will be battling for points to clinch a play-off spot.

Rangers reserves complete their Central Conference League Cup round-robin games tomorrow evening when they entertain Burton Albion at Marston Road.