Rangers praised despite home defeat

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes praised his side despite seeing them edged out at Marston Road by early pacesetters Chorley.

Garry Flitcroft's men sealed the win with a late free-kick but Clowes is confident Rangers will soon climb the Evo-Stik Northern League table.

He said: "The big thing tonight, even though we've not got the result, was the performance. That's the best we have played all season.

"If we play anywhere near that week in, week out, then we will do well.

"We're just not getting any luck at the moment. On another night we could have come in 2-0 up.

"What's happened is that the players have taken on board what they were asked to do. They have passed the ball around well, they have competed and played as a team.

"There were partnerships all over the pitch – we just lacked the main ingredient which was the goals."

Striker Neville Thompson started his first game for Rangers and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Clowes said: "He has done everything but score. Every one of their back-four has hacked him down to slow him down.

"He has been very good but, when you wear 9 or 10 on your back, then you have to put the ball in the net.

"Hopefully his bad luck has run out tonight. Nothing has gone right for him in the last third, but there's plenty more to come from Neville Thompson.

"Kevin Street showed glimpses of what he can do for this team and I was also pleased with the defence.

"Over four games, we have conceded five goals - there are teams higher up the league who have conceded more, but it's not so good in our 'goals for' column.

"Football is all about results, but I'm sure we will have games where we don't play as well and sneak a 1-0 away from home."