Bully celebrates first win

Steve Bull has set his relegated Stafford Rangers side the target of not finishing bottom of the Blue Square Premier after clinching his first win as a manager.

And the Marston Road boss says players will win the chance to stay at the club if they repeat the performance which saw them pull off a shock 2-1 victory at third-placed Cambridge United on Saturday.

Goals from Neil Grayson and Nathan Smith saw Rangers move off the bottom on goal difference, level on points with new basement side Droylsden.

"We don't want to finish bottom of the league," said Bull, who saw Stafford win for the first time since the 2-1 success at Forest Green on February 16. "We will go down fighting.

"If they give me a performance like that week in week out, the players will be here next year."

Having been critical of his players during a run of 10 games without a victory, Bull praised the effort put in by his team. "I always ask for 100 per cent from the players and they gave me it all. I'm excited, the players are excited and there's a buzz inside the changing room. It was a great win for the lads, a great boost."

Victory ended Stafford's 12-match wait for a win and ended a run of seven straight defeats.

While Bull highlighted the contribution of Chris Flynn in the heart of the defence, the Wolves legend praised the hard work put in by his side.

"They weren't individuals out there," he said. "The back three were superb and the keeper (Danny Alcock) kept us in it early on. We had a bit of luck, but it is hard work that gets you luck."

With Cambridge pressing for an equaliser and hitting the woodwork, Bull had to endure a nervous four minutes of stoppage time before clinching his first three points since his appointment at the end of February.

"When the fourth official said four minutes to go, I thought 'it can't be, no way'," he said. "I just wanted the ball to go out."

Stafford hope to do it all again tomorrow night when Rushden & Diamonds visit Marston Road for a re-arranged league game.