Captain's dismay at Rangers absence

Stafford Rangers captain Craig McAughtrie has expressed his frustration that he will miss a "must win" game at home to relegation rivals Redditch on Saturday.

McAughtrie has another game to serve of a two-match suspension but tonight's trip to Guiseley is off, as the hosts must replay their FA Trophy tie after a draw against Eastbourne away from home on Saturday.

As a result the skipper will have to sit out Saturday's game against the Blue Square North's bottom club, who have been plunged into further crisis after manager Matt Gardiner resigned last week after the club completely cut their playing budget.

The 29-year-old defender will return to league action at Gainsborough Trinity a week on Saturday, who themselves are sinking into the relegation mire and will be just nine points clear of Rangers in the last relegation place having played a game more if they lose at home to Boston United tonight.

But McAughtrie is likely to get a run out in next Tuesday's Staffordshire Senior Cup tie against Hednesford at Marston Road, although that has not eased his dismay at having to miss another week of action.

He said: "It's killed me really, I looked straight away at their result on Saturday and was gutted when I saw they got a draw. But, never mind, it's my own fault.

"I don't know which game I would rather have missed, it would have been a tough game away at Guiseley but Saturday is a must win game for us, the gap has opened up a bit and we can't let it get any worse.

"We have got to put a string of wins together to give ourselves a chance and hope that other results go for us but we can't keep saying it, we have got to do it."