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Gary Hayward’s men beat Stafford Rangers 3-1 on Tuesday night to leave them third in the Northern Premer League and with a game in hand that would see them go top if they win it.

Tom Elliott put them ahead with a 39th minute goal.

Diego DeGirolamo added another one just after the hour mark, before he missed a 75th minute penalty.

Reece Styche bagged his second goal for the club two minutes later as the Bucks made the points safe.

Styche will now head off on international duty, linking up with the Gibraltar squad as they face Bulgaria in a friendly on Wednesday ahead of Nations League contests against San Marino and Liechtenstein.

Mitch Candlin pulled a consolation goal back four minutes from time.

On Saturday, Buxton eased into the first round proper of the FA Trophy following a 2-0 win at Brighouse Town.

Goals from James Walshaw and Styche set up a first round proper tie with Atherton Collieries or City of Liverpool.

It was Styche’s first goal for the club following an impressive 13-minute cameo.

Town, struggling in Division One (North-West), did their utmost to put pressure on 'the Bucks' when in possession and their hard work helped disrupt the Buxton passing game.

A pitch sodden by a week's rain was hardly conducive to Buxton's passing game but more so to Town's more direct approach that was mostly well contained by the visiting defence, which featured the returning Josh Granite in place of the injured Shane Killock.

Brighouse made a bright start, enjoying more than an even share of possession in the opening quarter, while Buxton made occasional forays forward.

Diego DeGirolamo fired wide twice midway through the first half, before seeing a shot saved by the keeper.

After the interval Tom Taylor, who had established himself with Brighouse, made the tie's best save from a Tom Haigh 25-yard shot, before

Alhassane Keita glanced a header wide.

In the 55th minute the visitors hit the front when Walshaw got on the end of a Granite through-ball to lob the keeper.

The home side battled to recover but in the last quarter-hour Buxton took charge with sub Styche causing problems.

He got his reward in the third minute of stoppage time with an 18 yard drive.

Off the field, keeper Grant Shenton has joined Stalybridge Celtic on a season long loan deal.

Shenton joins Celtic for his second spell at Bower Fold, after making 30 appearances for the club between October 2016 - April 2017.

The 29-year-old keeper originally joined Stalybridge from Ashton United but before Ashton, he had made 279 appearances for Ramsbottom United, whilst also playing for FC United of Manchester.

"I didn’t want him to go, but he said ‘gaffer, I want to play games,” Hayward said.

"We have a 72-hour recall on him so if we need him we can get him back to us.”