Spirited Celts

The impressive Gonzales found substitute Florian Da Silva – but, with Gonzales open for the return, Da Silva blazed the ball high into the Cheadle End with an attempt that, in the end, neither looked like a cross or a shot.

As County toiled to make a vital breakthrough, it was the official who was again at the centre of proceedings. After Lloyd had cut inside former Hatter Danny Morton to find his way into the area, the 25 year-old left sided attacker went down under pressure from the backtracking Danny Wilkins.

There was contact, however minimal, and Lloyd dispatched a rather weak penalty after referee Lucas had pointed to the spot but with Stalybridge furious, their misery was yet to be compounded.

The visitors seethed, with joint manager Halford finding himself in trouble shortly after for taking his frustration out on the advertising hoardings around the pitch – but his mood worsened minutes later when a Gonzales through ball cannoned off the official and fell kindly into path of County, who duly found the net from the same move.

Amis’ blocked, inswinging strike was Duxbury’s corner was met stylishly by substitute Jimmy Ball for his sixth Hatters’ goal, and Celtic’s resistance was finally broken.

County kept themselves in the fifth and final playoff position, with a number of impressive statistics continuing to fall for Gannon’s in-form side.

The win made it ten unbeaten in the league, with no home defeat since Bradford PA on 19th November for The Hatters. County’s last away defeat came in September to promotion-chasing Darlington - and, crucially, County occupy a play-off position for the first time this year.