Rangers end home misery

Stafford Rangers 2 Weymouth 1

Stafford Rangers' Marston Road nightmare in the Blue Square Premier is over. After almost seven months and 15 attempts, Rangers have finally won a home league match.

And their victims were Weymouth, the only team Rangers have beaten away this season. Caretaker boss Neil Grayson led his injury and suspension-raddled side to victory, scoring the opening goal and then helping out in defence as Rangers sought to cling on to the lead. But the matchwinner came from an unlikely source – youngster Courtney Shaw.

The former Rangers reserve signed up on Thursday night after impressing in training to bolster a lightweight squad.

In the 85th minute, he swivelled on a loose ball after Damian Jarrett's flick-on from a free kick and steered his shot just inside the post. During a nervy four minutes of extra time, Weymouth piled forward in an effort to avoid their embarrassment, but Grayson was back there helping out his makeshift defence.

The closest the Terras came to spoiling everything was a shot from Paolo Vernazza that hit a post.

Gavin McCallum had earlier threatened to be the party pooper, netting the equaliser with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a 72nd minute substitute.

His looping header from Nick Crittenden's centre dipped over Danny Alcock.

Rangers had taken the lead through Grayson in the 28th minute. The 43-year-old homed in on another Jarrett free kick to power a header home from 12 yards.

Rangers were able to hold their ownith John Hollins's outfit, although Alcock did make one vital save from Anton Robinson with just three minutes on the clock.

Several times Del Olaoye use his used his strength to force his way into scoring positions but twice lifted his efforts over the bar.

Rangers scored a double psychological boost – a home win and moving off the bottom of the table.

Rangers: Alcock, Gibson (Ingram 68), Daniel, Sutton, Street, Jarrett, Hopkinson (Shaw 83), Flynn, Arnolin (Adaggio 74), Grayson, Olaoye. Subs not used: McNiven, Meakin-Richards.