Stocksbridge Park Steels 0, Kendal Town 1 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Stocksbridge Park Steels 0, Kendal Town 1

10:26pm Tuesday 25th April 2006 in

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ROCK solid defence and a lucky goal mean that Kendal will go into their final UniBond League match on Saturday not only seeking the one point they need for automatic promotion but also challenging for the First Division championship.

On their own turf Stocksbridge enjoyed the bulk of possession in this crucial Tuesday night game, but their attacks floundered against the mighty wall of central defenders Ricky Mercer and Nigel Taylor.

In the 20th minute a Ged Smith fee-kick aimed for playmaker Lee Ashcroft hit the Stocksbridge wall then rebounded from Ian Kilford, who knew little about it, and into the net.

It turned out to be enough despite a nervous second half in which Stocksbridge's prolific scorer Zoll missed a sitter three minutes from time.

The win puts Kendal just two points behind league leaders Mossley with both teams having one match to play on Saturday.

Yet automatic promotion as runner-up is not quite in the bag as an alternative prize for if Kendal should lose to Shepshed Dynamo third-placed Woodley, six-points behind can steal the place on goal difference if they win their remaining two games.

Fourth-placed Fleetwood Town also have a mathematical chance, but would have to rattle up eight goals in their last two games.