Two Rory Patterson goals followed by a late strike by sub Nick Robinson saw FC step up their championship assault with a resounding 3-0 triumph over the league leaders in front of a Gigg Lane crowd of 2,168.
That enabled Bamber Bridge to replace Skem at the summit with a 2-1 victory over fellow title hopefuls Bradford Park Avenue which means Marginson's men can now overtake all of the six teams ahead of them.
"It's a tall order because we have a massive fixture backlog, but I firmly believe we can do it," said the Rebels chief, whose on-song side visit Nantwich in the UniBond President's Cup quarter-finals tonight at 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, Curzon Ashton's hopes of returning to pole position were thwarted when their derby date at relegation-haunted Radcliffe was postponed.
It was a miserable day for Vodkat League title contenders Salford City, who crashed out of the League Cup, beaten 2-0 at Winsford, and were also replaced at the top by Newcastle, thumping 10-1 winners over hapless Nelson.
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Free Red, Manchester (18/02/2008 at 11:51)
Directions: M6 Junction 16 A500 towards Nantwich. Over 4 roundabouts onto A51 towards Nantwich Town Centre, through traffic lights and over railway crossing. Over next r/bout then left at next r/bout past Morrisons supermarket on right. Continue over r/bout through traffic lights. Ground on right at next set of traffic lights.
Train: OUT 17.34 Piccadilly to Nantwich. RETURN 22:54 Nantwich to Piccadilly