STALYBRIDGE boss Paul Futcher believes the Celts' stunning 10-man victory over Nationwide Conference leaders Boston could offer them a key to survival.

The Bower Fold relegation battlers overcame the dismissal of England trialist Steve Pickford to halt Boston's march to the title with goals by Sammy Ayorinde and Ged Courtney in a surprise 2-1 success.

He said: ''The lads were absolutely magnificent against Boston and we've got to believe that, if we can beat the league leaders with only ten men, we're capable of beating anyone in the Conference.''

And Futcher hopes to boost his squad still further by signing ex-Stockport and Manchester City striker Adie Mike from Northwich.

• Leigh RMI also took another step towards safety with second-half strikes by Tony Black and Dino Maamria (2) earning them an emphatic 3-0 victory at Northwich, dragging Vics back onto the fringe of the relegation picture.

• Trafford marched into the UniBond Challenge Cup semi-finals after overturning a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at Kendal. Tony Cullen headed their winner.

• Chris Cornelly struck twice as Ashton United reached the last-four of the President's Cup with a 3-1 win at Burscough.

• In the premier division, Runcorn's new signing from Southport, former Hyde loan star Kevin Leadbetter, bagged a brace in their 4-2 win at Frickley, but Rossendale's first division promotion drive faltered yet again in a goalless home draw with lowly Belper.

Salford's NWCL championship hopes were hit for six by visiting leaders Prescot, who went goal crazy after City's ex-Trafford star Garry Vaughan had been sent off.

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