Recap

Two first half goals did the damage although Rangers were still some way off their best and it took some 20 minutes or so before they began to assert their authority on the game.

Neither team looked convincing in that scrappy opening but it was the home side who were the most threatening with a shot from Harry Bower and a header from Lewis Brown but both missed the target.

When Rangers did finally threaten, Scott Bakkor saw his shot blocked by Joe Slinn. Within 15 seconds, play had switched to the other end and Oli Ritchie forced the first save of the night from Leon Phillips.

It was a clever dummy by Wealth DaSilva that finally undid the Newcastle defence on the half hour. The Stafford man’s trickery saw him get away from Brown and send in a cross from the right where Bakkor claimed the vital touch ahead of Tom Thorley.

Just four minutes later, Harvey Washington headed Rangers 2-0 ahead converting a Jack Birch corner.

Bakkor almost added a spectacular third but volleyed wide after taking down a long ball from Tom Tonks.

The Newcastle threat was being dampened although the home side did create another chance just before the break when Bower headed wide.

Half Time: Newcastle Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2

Bakkor fired across the face of goal as Rangers looked to strengthen their position early in the second half and they were only prevented from extending their lead by an excellent save from Slinn to keep out Birch.

Todd Ferrier was Rangers’ star man on the night and he played his part in the build up before Slinn denied Joe Dunne.

The Newcastle keeper also kept out Remi Efunnuga in the closing stages but Rangers had done enough to secure the points

Full Time: Newcastle Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2

Newcastle: 1 Joe Slinn, 2 Billy Baker, 3 Sean Lawton (16 Joel Jones 72m), 4 Lewis Brown, 5 Tom Thorley, 6 Karsten Cairns (12 Will Arnold 46m), 7 Joe Hunter (15 Henry Brereton 62m), 8 Drew Lowe, 9 Luca Whitney, 10 Oli Ritchie, 11 Harry Bower. Unused Subs: 14 Callum Knowles, 17 Jayden Kirk

Stafford: 1 Leon Phillips, 2 Beto Gomes, 3 Joe Dunne (15 Mitch Clarke 73m), 4 Todd Ferrier, 5 Andy Burns, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Scott Bakkor (7 Kyle Sambor 81m), 10 Jack Birch (12 Ty Webster 84m), 14 Wealth Da Silva (11 Darrhyl Mason 66m), 16 Joe Thompson (19 Remi Efunnuga 66m), 18 Harvey Washington.

Referee: Kyle Lord

Cautions: None

Goals: Bakkor 30m, Washington 34m (Stafford)

Att: 764