NANTWICH Town recaptured their FA Vase spirit to win a vital top-of-the-table clash with Salford on Saturday.

The injury-hit side knew the importance of the game at Jackson Avenue, with the visitors lying one point ahead and second in Division One.

Chairman Clive Jackson had watched Salford and came up with a game-plan similar to the one which saw the Dabbers defeat favourites Cammell Laird over two legs in the Vase semi-final last season.

Sitting back and soaking up pressure before countering quickly was the scheme - and it worked a treat as Andy Bott plundered an 84th minute winner.

Boss Steve Davis said: 'It was difficult as we had a lot of players missing. There were three massive points to collect in a fiercely contested game.

'Credit to our players, they carried out the pre-match instructions to the letter. Clive had picked out Salford's strengths and weaknesses. The game was like a replay of the first leg against Cammelll Laird before we went on to win the Vase. They don't come much tougher than that.'

With the likes of Andy Kinsey (ankle), Danny Griggs (groin), Phil Parkinson (ankle), James Marrow (ribs), Paul Donnelly (ankle) and Davis (groin) all out, the Dabbers brought in reenforcements.

Cypriot Michalis Chailis made his debut alongside Mark Bowyer, 20, a capture from Biddulph Victoria. Danny McVey was on the bench after recovering from a dislocated wrist, suffered in pre-season.

Salford made the early running but were lucky not to fall behind when Adam Beasley hit the post from five yards out following a corner.

Rob Hackney made a smart stop from Matt Burke and the visitors forced the Dabbers back, while Mark Fitton dragged a shot wide during a rare Nantwich attack.

In the second half, Murray Mc-Culloch cleared off the line before Hackney produced a brilliant one-hander to push out a 30-yard screamer.

With less than 20 minutes left Beasley drove against the left upright again after finding himself unmarked, but Nantwich stayed on the back foot.

Against the run of play, McCulloch found the overlapping Matt Blake who unleashed a fierce angled drive which was parried by the keeper, and Bott drove home his 11th of the season from 15 yards.

Nantwich lost Stuart Scheuber (ankle) and Fitton (arm) to injury, but the knocks could not ruin their joy and relief at the final whistle.

* Nantwich travelled to Formby last night as the Chronicle went to press, and visit Silsden on Saturday.