SUPER-SUB John Scarlett came off the bench to clinch Nantwich's second derby victory in five days on Saturday.

Scarlett's third goal in three substitute appearances for Nantwich capped a fine double for the Dabbers after they had dispatched Congleton Town from the North West Counties League Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

Then, goals from Paul Rutter and a penalty from Danny Griggs were enough to earn them a round-three clash at Skelmersdale United on January 29.

But the league is priority for manager Steve Davis and he is delighted with the form of his side.

'I am very pleased because we have put in two good performances,' he said. 'Derby games are always difficult and I can't ask any more from the lads. We showed a good team spirit when the going got tough and we showed some quality when it mattered.'

At Alsager, Nantwich broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when a Paul Santus cross from the right was cleverly brought down by Danny Griggs, and the Nantwich skipper rounded home keeper Rob Powner before unselfishly pulling the ball back for Paul Rutter to slot home his eighth goal in nine outings.

On 34 minutes, Alsager replaced out-of-sorts Steve Grocott with Phil Parkinson and the change helped the home side take control. Two minutes later, Murray McCulloch fired the ball in from the right and Mark Grice rammed home to level.

After the interval, Griggs had to boot a Wayne Brotherton header off the line, and Nantwich keeper Danny Reade saved bravely at the feet of the dangerous Peter Heler.

On 81 minutes, Glyn Blackhurst fired Nantwich ahead with a half-volley from the edge of the area and, four minutes later, veteran Scarlett made it 3-1 with a neat drive.

Alsager had a goal disallowed for offside before they set up a nervy finish when Dean Stokes converted a cross with just two minutes remaining. Heler volleyed over in the dying seconds but the Dabbers held on for their third win on the trot.

An Alsager spokesman said: 'After a good midweek win against Hyde, we couldn't find our sparkle against Nantwich and defensive mistakes proved very costly.'

Jimmy Quinn has pledged to play for Nantwich when he can despite taking a job as assistant manager at Peterborough United.

The former Northern Ireland international forward has joined Barry Fry at London Road but has told Dabbers boss Steve Davis he will turn out for the Town whenever possible.

Davis said: 'We are delighted for Jimmy but he has said he will play for us in midweek games when Posh don't have a fixture. It is a boost for us made possible because Jimmy is still living in the area.'

Former Peterborough player Quinn said: 'I loved my time at Posh as a player. I have always been in contact with Barry and it gave me a big lift when he asked me to be his assistant.'