FC UNITED had substitute Stuart Rudd to thank for keeping them firmly in the UniBond first division north title hunt with a spectacular late winner at Woodley.

Rudd struck with an 89th-minute overhead kick to give the fifth-placed Rebels a victory which ensures they stay tucked in behind neighbours Curzon Ashton, 2-1 winners over Lancaster.

But it was a win achieved at a price for Karl Marginson's men, who lost leading scorer Rory Patterson with a knee injury.

Pat McGuire had given lowly Woodley a 47th-minute lead before Jamie Baguley equalised midway in the second half.