FORMER FC United star Steve Torpey made a winning start at Stalybridge after joining on loan from Halifax until the end of the season.

Torpey starred in a 3-0 Blue Square North victory at Hucknall which keeps Bridge firmly in the hunt for promotion.

But they made hard work of killing off their struggling hosts after the eager Chris Hall had given them a 12th minute lead.

Sub Matty Barlow finally eased Bridge's growing anxiety when he struck shortly after his 69th-minute introduction.

Alex Meechan quickly added a third to wrap up a win which keeps the Bower Fold side tucked in behind fifth-placed neighbours Hyde United, who held on to the final play-off spot with a 3-1 victory over Worcester at Ewen Fields.

Goals by Dave Morley, Chris Simm and Gareth Seddon put the Tigers on track for their second win in five days, suggesting their recent slump is now firmly behind them.

Table-topping Witton Albion extended their UniBond Premier Division lead to 14 points with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Whitby, but Ashton United's 1-1 draw with Ossett Town at Hurst Cross does little to ease their mounting relegation concerns.

Trafford seized on Salford City's 3-2 home defeat by Maine Road to march to the top of the Vodkat League, with Andy Lundy hitting a hat-trick in their 6-1 rout of struggling St Helens.