Play-off bid

challenge Curtis, and the former Newtown striker curled home first-time from the edge of the area off the post of a helpless Bland.

In truth, Gannon’s men – who looked low on confidence at times throughout the end-to-end tie – never looked certain of holding onto the advantage twice carved out by Oswell, and just two minutes later their first lead of the afternoon was gone.

Chris Smalley and Michael Clarke, who were largely solid in the centre of the home defence against a lively strike force, were caught cold by a lovely lofted cross by Taylor – and the diminutive Ramshaw ghosted into the six yard box to head low past Hinchliffe.

Gannon observed afterwards that it was the introduction of wingers Adam Thomas and Ben McKenna which helped swing the tie in County’s favour, and McKenna constantly ran at the tiring away defence to earn a number of corner kicks and attacking set plays for The Hatters.

And the telling contribution came with twenty minutes left, as McKenna’s lung-bursting run down the right earned a throw by the corner flag – and the former Stalybridge winger’s quick one-two with full-back Cowan saw the latter produce an instant cross for the lurking Oswell to barge past Curtis and dive to plant a powerful header past Bland.

Oswell’s second hattrick in the blue and white of County was enough to earn the hosts an invaluable win against a play-off rival, with substitute Andy Johnson’s late curler cannoning off Hinchliffe’s crossbar and preserving a huge three points for Gannon and his men.