KICK boxing black belt James Dean was a real knockout on his return to Stalybridge on loan from Bury.

The 24-year-old striker, a substitute for Lee Ellington, struck three minutes from time to give Celtic a stunning 1-0 win at Blue Square North leaders Kettering and put his side into a play-off position for the first time this season.

It was the eighth win in a row for manager Steve Burr's hot squad, who had previously lost five on the bounce, and lifted them into fifth place at theexpense of Tameside neighbours, Hyde United.

They can make further progress when they meet Burscough at Bower Fold tomorrow night (7.45pm) in a game where admission will be free because the original game between the clubs was called off after seven minutes.

Defender Steve Payne went off after two minutes on Saturday with a calf injury but Gary Burke, signed from Droylsden, came on for his debut and did a fine job.

Kettering, whose only other defeat this season had been at home to Hyde, face second-placed Southport on Saturday so in-form Celtic have a great chance to make further progress in the promotion shake-up.