Marco Adaggio's return is hailed

Stafford Rangers captain Craig McAughtrie has hailed the return of Marco Adaggio after the forward signed on for a second spell at Marston Road.

Adaggio, who spent the 2007/08 season with Rangers, rejoined late on Friday after leaving relegation rivals Redditch, starting Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Blyth Spartans.

It reunites him with McAughtrie, who was at the club when the Spanish-born forward joined the first time.

The skipper must now sit out the next two games of Rangers' fight against the drop after his red card at Harrogate on January 18, his second ban of the season.

But McAughtrie believes the signing of Adaggio is a cause for optimism.

He said: "Marco looks sharp, strong and quick and it's more competition for places, which we have had a lack of all season. He did well on Saturday and had a couple of half chances where he might have nicked a goal, but it wasn't to be.

"He's older and wiser than he was before but he was a striker then, whereas he played on the wing on Saturday."

Rangers remain six points from safety after their sixth defeat in seven games on Saturday, with title chasers Nuneaton and Guiseley up next.

All the team can do, according to McAughtrie, is battle on.

He said: "Saturday was a game where we had more than enough chances to take something out of it, but sloppy goals we have conceded have cost us again.

"We have got games to come where Redditch and Hyde have got to come to us so the ball is in our court, but we can't afford to let them get any further away."

"No one is going to turn this around for us, we have got to do it ourselves."