The Hatters resume their battle to avoid a third successive relegation when they entertain fellow strugglers Newport on Saturday in what will be their first outing since Gannon revealed he had freed goalkeeper Matt Glennon plus outfield players Ryan McCann, Mark Lynch and John Miles, the latter two of whom have joined Altrincham.

Stockport Academy invited County to train on their all-weather pitches after their training ground at Manor Farm in Timperley was frozen.

A powerful second half strike from Danny Rowe secured a crucial three points for the Hatters after Sean McConville had put his side ahead after 21 minutes.

A last minute equaliser from substitute Danny Rowe saw the Hatters claw back a point from the jaws of defeat having fallen two goals behind with under half an hour remaining.

County resume their battle for Blue Square Bet Premier survival with a trip to mid-table Braintree on Saturday knowing just 17 games now stand between them and a third successive demotion.

The Rotherham businessman has become a multi-millionaire since founding the LifeSkills training company in 2002 and also has a proven track record in the music industry and audit consultancy management.

The midfielder netted a brace in the 3-2 win over Barrow at Edgeley Park on New Year’s Day, giving County their first win since manager Jim Gannon returned to the club.

Only the heroics of Bluebirds keeper Danny Hurst prevented County leaving Holker Street with at least a point which would have helped the increasingly grim survival battle they now face in 2012.

The 25-year-old made his County debut during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Alfreton, becoming the third generation of his family to play for the club.

A Karl Ledsham strike well and truly burst the bubble at the returning manager’s homecoming party and Gannon has hit out at those amongst the County ranks who he feels aren’t pulling their weight.

Since Gannon’s exit from the club in 2009, County have been reduced from a competent League One side to a club struggling to keep their necks above water in the fifth tier of English football.

The Mariners took the lead on 17 minutes when Michael Coulson capitalised on a slip by Danny O’Donnell.

Gannon was handed the dual role after Dietmar Hamann resigned as boss last week. And after meeting players and staff for the first time yesterday, Gannon, whose first spell in charge ended two years ago, warned that cost-cutting was inevitable.

County have already had more than 20 applications for the job since Dietmar Hamann’s departure on Monday afternoon. But chairman Lord Peter Snape will not start drawing up a shortlist of candidates until after Saturday’s game.