THIS was match that was always going to be tough against Nationwide North League leaders and their class told in the end as Stafford won 3-1 at Vauxhall.
But Vauxhall's showed more than a glimmer of hope going into Friday night's must-win game against Leigh with some good play on a blustery night at Rivacre Park.
Stafford took the lead on 33 minutes when Paul Groves crossed for Grayson to glance a header past the advancing Tim Dittmer.
Just before half-time Vauxhall levelled. Brian Moogan's free-kick wasn't cleared and Craig McAughtrie was adjudged to have handled the ball from Wayne McDermott's follow-up and Thomas Rooney scored from the spot.
In the second half Stafford went ahead again as Kevin Street's free-kick was headed in by Groves.
In the final minute Stafford applied the killer touch. Robin Gibson found himself on his own and lifted the ball over Dittmer. Brazier made it to the ball but Gibson collected to score.
VAUXHALL: Dittmer, Moogan, McDermott, Brazier, McNulty, Glendenning (O'Donnell 73), Garrity, Rooney, Smyth (Cumiskey 76), Lawton, Lawless (Martindale 80). Subs: Duffy, Field.
