Dale Belford remains positive despite late setback

The 1-1 draw last Saturday was Stafford’s fourth league match in a row without a win and leaves them three points adrift from safety of the Northern One West relegation zone.

A late mis-clearance from Sean Lawton proved costly and Trafford were clinical with the opportunity through Cian Donahue to cancel out Joe Cuff’s opener. 

Speaking after the draw, Boro boss Belford remained confident that his side can escape their troubles.

“I honestly believe that results will come,” he said. “I am not really looking at other teams, we have to concentrate on ourselves.

“We need to get settled in terms of a team and a structure. I think as we have seen over the last few games that we are a match for everybody, it’s just about that bit of ruthlessness at the top end of the pitch that we need to work on.

“I thought we were brilliant defensively.

“We have got to start winning games of football to get out of the situation that we are in. 

“Everybody who is in the dressing room wants to play, and everyone can play.

We have players coming back and it’s going to need a collective effort to get us where we need to be and out of the situation we are in and to a stronger position.

“It was never going to be easy, anybody who comes in and thinks you can win every game they are deluded.

“There’s been a lot of changes with players coming in, and I believe now that we are better than the previous group of players.

“The buck stops with me now and we have got to go and get those results that we need.”

Cuff and Belford could not believe their luck when Trafford goalkeeper Samuel Booth let the winger’s shot slip through his hands for the lead midway through the second period. 

The Rangers had failed to threaten the goal much to that point and were thankful to hero and saviour, Cameron Belford in goal who frequently spared them from going behind.

Trafford frontman Rio Clegg was denied several times by the shotstopper at full stretch.

Stafford visit Runcorn Linnets on Saturday.