BEN Hough appears to like playing against Matlock Town.

Until yesterday, the Warrington Rylands midfielder's only league goal of the campaign came in the reverse fixture against the Derbyshire outfit all the way back in September - a match Blues won 4-2 to climb to second in the Northern Premier League Premier Division table.

That was where they stayed until very recently after a run of one win in eight matches dropped them down to fourth and put their play-off place in danger ahead of the Gladiators' visit to Gorsey Lane yesterday.

It looked as though Michael Clegg's men were going to be held to another frustrating draw until Hough made the decisive intervention four minutes from time.

Javid Swaby-Neavin found him in space inside the penalty area and he crashed home a near-post finish to break Matlock's resistance and secure a much-needed victory.

A good day for Rylands in promotion race

Hough's goal could prove to be an important one come the end of the season as it allowed Rylands to establish a bit of a cushion for themselves in the play-off spots.

They were the only side in the top seven to win on Saturday, and that propelled them back up to second place.

They now sit on 53 points, 11 behind runaway leaders Radcliffe but perhaps crucially, six inside the all-important top five.

Blues' next game sees them visit FC United of Manchester on Saturday.

Warrington Guardian:

Duffy debut

Saturday's victory featured a debut for Blues' newest signing - experienced midfielder Mark Duffy.

The 38-year-old started the season as manager of play-off rivals Macclesfield before being relieved of his duties in late-October, but he has now joined Clegg's squad as a player for the remainder of the season.

Duffy came on as a late substitute, replacing Joe Adams for the final 15 minutes of the game.

Rylands: Pilling, Swaby-Neavin, Brockbank, Smith, Neild, Furman, Adams (Duffy), Hough, Cockerline, Touray (Taylor), Pedro. Subs not used: Wilson, Kyffin, Baillie