February 2011 Archives

AN own goal by Danny Grannon capped a dismal seven days for Colwyn Bay with a third successive defeat, and gifted Ashton United a place in the League Cup semi-finals.
The seagulls had come from behind to level the scores at 1-1, but Grannon's unlucky deflection early in the second half proved the match-winner in a 2-1 defeat, while two goalline clearances denied Bay a second equaliser.
Ashton were in front after only 10 minutes when Jonathan Bathurst broke down the left and his low cross picked out Ryan Crowther who scored with a deflected shot from 16 yards.
They should have had a second, but Alex Frost lifted the ball over the bar from two yards out at the far post from a corner, after Andy Metcalf had done well to tip another Crowther shot over the bar.
The Bay then went straight down the other end and equalised on 42 minutes when Karl Noon cut in from the right and directed a shot across keeper Terry Smith and inside the far post.
But two minutes into the second half Crowther's low cross produced that cruel own goal as the ball bobbled up and was diverted into the net off Grannon's shin.
Colwyn Bay showed a lot of spirit to try and get back in the game, but they had no luck in the box.
Gareth Evans got the ball past the keeper from eight yards, but Ashton's Steve Hall acrobatically cleared off the line with an overhead kick, and then Joe McMahon's goalbound header from a corner was also kicked off the line by fullback Liam Dawson.
Strong shouts for a penalty for a foul on Alex Titchiner were ignored by the referee and Frost made a late goal-saving tackle to deny substitute Jon Newby.
The Bay put Grannon up front in a four-man attack in a final throw of the dice, but Bay's defence often looked vulnerable against Ashton's pace and Metcalf had to make two excellent saves from Ben Smith and substitute Ian Bennett late on to deny the home side a third goal.
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Sheehan, Challinor (Denson 45mins), McMahon, Grannon, McLachlan (Lea 62mins), Williams, Evans, Noon, Titchiner, Davey (Newby 79mins). Sub not used: Allen.
Player-boss Dave Challinor, who gave himself 45 minutes to aid his return from injury, was pleased with the effort put in by a side that showed six changes from last Saturday.
"I thought we played quite well on a poor surface and didn't deserve to lose," he commented.
"The lads who came in did well, but we didn't get a break in the box and there were a couple of penalty shouts that on another day might have been given.
"We made some wrong decisions at crucial moments and conceded a couple of sloppy goals, but at least the effort was there and we put right a few wrongs from last Saturday.
"The cup was never a priority and I've just said to the players that the bigger picture is next Saturday's game against Whitby which is now massive for us."
With North Ferriby winning at Bradford Park Avenue tonight, Colwyn Bay have dropped to fourth place ahead of Saturday's game and, after suffering three successive defeats for the first time in nearly a year, they need to get the wheels back on as quickly as possible if their season is not to be derailed.
The manager is trying to bring in some new faces in time for Saturday, although one player he was planning to speak to this week has now joined Droylsden.
"We've got Ryan Williams back (from Llandudno) until the end of the season, but we need more bodies to provide competition for places," said Challinor. "I don't want people thinking they can just walk into the team - especially after the performance we put in last Saturday."
The manager also revealed that an offer to buy back Rob Hopley has been turned down by Chester.
"We made what we felt was a fair offer, but Chester have rejected it for now," he said. "I understand they want to sell Rob to Airbus (who have made a better offer), but Rob doesn't want to go into the Welsh League - so I am not quite sure where we stand with that the moment.
"But we need to cover ourselves for the rest of the season and are talking to a couple of other players this week with a view to bringing at least one of them in for Saturday if we can - although much depends on how the situation with Rob develops over the next few days.
"Alex (Titchiner) also wants to go back to Witton and something could possibly be sorted out on that over the next week."
Sam Coulter, who has been injured, has had an offer to play in Sweden again which he is considering.
Aaron Rey, who was unavailable last weekend due to work commitments and was cup-tied against Ashton, will be back in the squad for Saturday.

DAVE CHALLINOR tore into his players after a dreadful first half performance saw them lose 2-0 at home to North Ferriby United (Feb 26).
It was a second defeat in five days against top five rivals, and left the angry player-boss suggesting there could be changes.
"When you don't turn up for the first half then you get done, and I won't tolerate any side of mine putting in a performance like that," he fumed.
"There was no passion, no workrate; we didn't deserve anything.
"It was a bit better in the second half. We came close to scoring a couple of times and missed a penalty, but a goal would have just hidden how poor we were overall.
"You can accept people having bad games, but what you can't excuse is when people don't work and do the things you have asked them to do.
"We did not even do the basics right, and without that you can't get around the pitch or put pressure on teams.
"North Ferriby are the best side in the division with the ball in terms of their movement going forward and their passing, and if you don't work to close them down they will kill you."
"It is hard to be tough on the lads because they have done well so far this season, but having got ourselves in the position we have, now is the time when people need to step up.
"One or two are looking a bit jaded, but we don't have the luxury of a big squad and if players are just going to go through the motions and not put in a shift then they are no good to us.
"I certainly hope to bring in one new player next week and possibly two to try and freshen things up.
"We have put in a bid to Chester to sign Rob Hopley permanently, but if that is not successful we may have to let him go back and explore another option. Hops has done well for us, but we need somebody we can guarantee will be with us to the end of the season.
"We might also be bringing somebody else in - but that would mean somebody else going out to budget the balance."
With Matlock Town winning at Marine, Colwyn Bay have now been knocked out of the top two for the first time in over three months, and North Ferriby are only one point behind them with two games in hand.
On the plus side Buxton lost at Ashton United and Worksop were again rained off to add to their huge fixture backlog.
The play-offs are certainly still achievable, but Challinor knows the side needs to find some fresh momentum.
He is planning to bring Ryan Williams back from Llandudno for Monday's League Cup game at Ashton and says he will probably play himself along with Lee Davey and Alex Titchiner, who brightened things up a bit when he came on in the second half and put in a couple of good runs.
"We've told Titch he has a chance now to stake a claim," said Challinor. "He has come back from Witton with a few goals under his belt and it is up to him now to show us he's up for it."
North Ferriby manager John Anderson certainly believes the race for play-off places is still wide open.
"It is a much tighter league than last year and there are still 10 or 11 teams in contention, so there is a lot of football to be played and anything can happen yet," he said.
"Today was a big win for us and in the first half particularly I thought we played very well, passed the ball well and carried on from where we left off on Tuesday (a 6-0 win over Whitby).
"To be fair to Colwyn Bay they gave it a real go in the second half and we rode our luck a little bit, but held on for a massive three points."
The Yorkshire side were certainly the better side in the first half with Gary Bradshaw running the show in midfield and Wayne Brooksby posing a real threat down the right flank against Mike Lea, who was booked for two desperate fouls on the winger in quick succession.
Russell Fry forced a good save from home keeper Chris Sanna, who also had to save from Kevin Larvin before North Ferriby took the lead on 20 minutes.
Bradshaw played a free kick into the near post where Chris Bolder scored with a firm header.
North Ferriby, given far too much room to run at the Bay defence made it 2-0 on 32 minutes when Bradshaw's close range shot hit a post and rebounded into the net of the back of the unlucky Sanna.
Challinior had hoped last Tuesday's events would have had the players fired up, but it seemed to have had the opposite affect with the players looking flat and just not up for it at all.
They did not pose any sort of a threat in the opening 30 minutes as North Ferriby threatend to play them off the park, but Gareth Evans did force a good diving save from Wilson in the closing minutes of the half, as well as hooking another chance high over the bar from Rob Hopley's header, while Fraser McLachlan fired a shot narrowly wide from a free kick.
The decision to leave out Joe McMahon and drop the back three formation looked to have backfired, although Challinor explained: "We knew they would play with one up front and two wide men so we had to go with a normal back four to deal with a threat down the flanks. But players didn't do the jobs they were told to do and that was the problem."
The Seagulls were better in the second half and Anthony Sheehan was unlucky when his shot hit Wilson's left hand post with the keeper beaten.
A goal then might have changed the game.
Instead they created other chances to get themselves a foothold, but couldn't convert them - not even when substitute Lee Davey was brought down in the box for a late penalty.
Rob Hopley took the spot kick, but North Ferriby keeper Steve Wilson dived to his left to palm it away for a corner.
That was the second penalty the Bay have missed in three games and just about summed up their day.
Before that Evans, who has struggled since coming back from injury, had the chance to break clear on goal but showed his lack of confidence by trying to play in Hopley instead of going on himself and gave away possession.
Three Bay players then failed to force the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble before defender Paul Foot finally cleared off the line and Luke Denson also had a shot cleared off the line in added time.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Sheehan, Evans (Davey 66mins), Hopley, Newby (McMahon 81mins), Noon (Titchiner 59mins). Subs not used: Challinor and Allen.
Attendance: 377.

COLWYN BAY are looking to bounce back from Tuesday's controversial defeat to Matlock with victory over top-five rivals North Ferriby United at Llanelian Road on Saturday (Feb 26).
"The game can't come soon enough to be honest, and hopefully the sense of injustice from Tuesday will drive us on to a victory," said player-manager Dave Challinor.
Challinor is expecting a better game for the spectators against a North Ferriby side who are four points behind the Seagulls with two games in hand after thumping Whitby Town 6-0 on Tuesday.
The Yorkshire side boast an excellent away record with just two defeats in 13 games - and are the only side this season to have won at Halifax.
"They like to play football and pass the ball around and it should be a good game to watch," said Challinor.
"The way they play probably suits us and, after winning at their place early in the season, we fancy our chances.
"Six points out of nine from the three big games this week would not be too bad a return if we could achieve that.
"Looking at the remaining fixtures we have probably got the slightly easier run in of the main play-off contenders, with five games left against teams in the top 10 or 12, whereas some of the others have nearly twice as many."
Colwyn Bay are again likely to be without skipper Damien Allen through injury, although the manager says a final decision will be left as late as possible.
There is also a slight doubt over Jon Newby with a tight hamstring, but he was given a night off from training on Thursday and the hope is he will be okay.
Alex Titchiner is also added to the squad after returning from his loan spell at Witton Albion, where he regained his scoring touch with six goals in eight games.
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft, McLachlan, Sheehan, Hopley, Newby, Noon, Allen, Evans, Rey, Davey, Titchiner, Challinor, Coulter.
North Ferriby manager John Anderson expects to have virtually a full strength squad available, although 20-goal forward Alex Davidson is ruled out with a medial ligament injury.
He says: "It will be a tough game. Colwyn Bay have shown they are a good side by winning promotion and being in the top two for most of the season."
But he was delighted by his side's 6-0 win on Tuesday and is looking for the same again.
"The team's performance against Whitby was superb with high quality passing moves played at pace and with some well-created goals - and there was the added bonus of a clean sheet," he said.
The next fortnight will probably have significant outcome on North Ferriby's season. They play Bradford on Monday evening and then follow that with three home games in eight days.

A GOAL in the 88th minute denied 10-man Colwyn Bay a deserved point as they lost 1-0 to top four rivals Matlock Town (Feb 22).
The turning point was a 61st minute red card for defender Joe McMahon for retaliation after the referee lost control of the game for a vital few seconds.
Matlock skipper James Lukic then grabbed that late winner which has lifted Matlock to within one point of the Bay with two games in hand.
The Seagulls had the better of the first half but failed to get the goal they probably needed at that stage to take a real grip on the game - although they twice went close in the opening 12 minutes.
A great pass from Karl Noon played in Jon Newby, but Matlock keeper Nick Buxton did well to beat the shot away for a corner, and then Fraser McLachlan, who captained the side in the absence of injured Damien Allen, was inches wide with a left foot volley which had Buxton beaten.
McLachlan hit another chance straight at the keeper and Grannon headed wide from one of five corners forced by the Bay to just one by Matlock.
With McMahon, Grannon and Danny Meadowcroft (who got the man of the match award) again outstanding at the back, Sanna only had one routine save to make, and although Matlock's Liam King did get the ball in the net just before half-time, he was flagged offside.
The big moment of the game came just after the hour - and the referee has to take some responsibility for losing control.
He let two bad Matlock challenges in quick succession go unpunished when first Ross Hannah went in late on a furious Chris Sanna after the keeper had the ball in his hands, and then from the throw out Grannon appeared to be elbowed. Those two unchecked challenges lit the fuse and when Wilson then immediately went in heavily again on Joe McMahon, players from both sides piled into an ugly melee - with McMahon getting a straight red card for his retaliation.
Wilson escaped with a yellow before being substituted by the Matlock bench.
Dave Challinor brought himself on to help shore up the defence for the last 25 minutes, and the 10-men looked like holding out for a point after Sanna saved from Hannah in a one-on-one.
In fact, they could have taken the lead themselves with strong appeals for a penalty waved away when Grannon was pulled back in the area at a corner, and then Grannon got his head to Lea's free kick, but the ball flew straight into Buxton's waiting hands from six yards out.
With just two minutes of normal time left, a Matlock free kick on the right produced a goalmouth scramble and Lukic forced the ball over the line to steal the points.
Such a late goal was a cruel way for the Bay to suffer their first defeat in six games and Challinor was a disappointed man afterwards.
"I don't normally like to talk about the officials, but they have cost us the game tonight," he said.
"I have no complaints about Joe's red card, but it should have been two red cards.
"The number nine has gone in with an elbow on Danny Grannon and then did the same to Joe. I've seen it again on the video and it is quite clear, yet the officials have ignored it.
" Both the nine and the 11 were going into challenges without looking at the ball all night and getting away with it.
"Ultimately that is the hands of the officials.
"I am very disappointed for the players because they didn't deserve that result. We were the better team tonight; we've played well, at a high tempo, put them under pressure, created chances and even when we've gone down to 10 men they haven't really looked like scoring - so to be beaten in the manner we have is disappointing.
"But we have to get on with it and prepare ourselves for another huge game against North Ferriby on Saturday - and hopefully the injustice the players feel tonight will galvanise them with renewed determination for that challenge."
Joe McMahon now faces a three match ban, starting a week on Saturday, at a crucial stage of the season.
Chester, however, have agreed for striker Rob Hopley for stay on at the Bay beyond this Saturday - although they retain the right to recall him at 24 hours notice should they need him.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft, Sheehan, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby (Evans 77mins), Noon (Challinor 65mins). Subs not used: Rey and Davey.
Attendance: 371.

The Bay stay in second place after this defeat, but while Matlock have moved to within one point of them with two games in hand, next Saturday's opponents North Ferriby are now four points behind with two games in hand after a 6-0 win over Whitby Town.
Chasetown, however, dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at Hucknall and are 11 points behind with three games in hand.
On Wednesday (Feb 23) Buxton were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Stocksbridge and are now six points behind Colwyn Bay with five games still in hand.
Northwich Victoria came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 with 10 men at Mickleover and have moved to nine points behind the Bay with three games in hand.

COLWYN BAY will travel to Ashton United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup next Monday (Feb 28) after Ashton's 3-2 win over Marine in a delayed fourth round tie tonight (Feb 21).
After two 3-0 defeats in the league to Ashton this season the Bay will be hoping it is third time lucky.

COLWYN BAY bid to extend their recent unbeaten run to six games when they play top four rivals Matlock Town at Llanelian Road on Tuesday (7.45pm).
The Derbyshire side are four points behind the Seagulls with two games in hand so it is another huge game for Dave Challinor's men.
The player-boss, however, has a major injury concern over skipper Damien Allen, who he rates as having only a 50-50 chance of playing.
A decision will be left as late as possible following an appointment with a specialist on Monday over a long-standing problem around the hip and back area that forced Allen's early withdrawal against Chasetown last Saturday.
Everyone one else is okay and Anthony Sheehan is on stand by to replace the skipper, with Sam Coulter likely to be added to the squad.
After suffering three defeats in a row in January, Matlock have hit top form again with four successive league and cup victories in which they have scored 15 goals - seven of those by star striker Russ Hannah who has taken his season's tally to an impressive 39.
Colwyn Bay have won five of their last six league games and have kept clean sheets in the last three - so it is all set up for a tremendous game (weather permitting).
"A win against Matlock would put us seven points clear of them and eliminate their two games in hand so that is a big incentive," said Challinor.
"We always knew it was going to be a big week with three games against play-off rivals and if we could come through it unbeaten that would be fantastic and put us in a strong position - but to win all three might be asking a lot.
"Whatever happens there is still a lot of football to be played."
Halifax (10 points clear at the top) play all Bay's main rivals in the next few weeks as they look to wrap up the title, and there are over 40 other fixtures still to be played in which teams in the current top 12, and still in contention, play each other.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft, McLachlan, Allen, Sheehan, Hopley, Newby, Noon, Evans, Rey, Davey, Coulter, Challinor.

COLWYN BAY stayed second in the table with a valuable 1-0 victory over FA Trophy quarter-finalists Chasetown (Feb 19)
Rob Hopley got the only goal of the game, before Chasetown keeper Ryan Price kept his side in the game with a second half penalty save.
Chasetown, who lost skipper Richard Teesdale with a back injury in the warm-up, couldn't capitalise on that and suffered their second league defeat in four days to leave them 12 points behind the Bay with three games in hand.
With Buxton also dropping points in a 1-1 draw at Kendal, it was another good day for the Seagulls.
It was the first time this season they have kept three consecutive clean sheets in league games (in fact its the first time since September 2009!) with Danny Grannon (man of the match award winner), Joe McMahon and Danny Meadowcroft again excellent at the back.
Apart from a couple of saves, Chris Sanna was rarely troubled in the Seagulls goal.
Hopley put in a tremendous shift up front and, with scoring the only goal as well, probably shaded my man of the match verdict from Jon Newby, who despite his penalty miss, put in some excellent build-up work and on another day could have had a couple of goals.
"It was another massive result - especially with Buxton dropping points and other teams not playing," said player-boss Dave Challinor.
"We have played better, but the result was all important and we dug in well to get the three points - and keeping another clean sheet was very encouraging ahead of another big game against Matlock on Tuesday.
"We started to play better after we'd scored and the game opened up a bit, and if we'd put away the penalty it would have been a lot more comfortable."
The first half performance wasn't helped by skipper Damien Allen struggling with the tight hamstring that made him a doubt before the game and Challinor admitted: "We almost took him off after 20 minutes because he wasn't getting into the game. The problem seems to be coming from his lower back and we are going to have to manage him carefully over the next couple of weeks or so because we don't want to risk losing him for a lengthy spell."
Joe McMahon also had to come off for treatment when the mouth injury he suffered last week started to bleed again, but fortunately he was able to come back on and finish the game.
Both sides struggled to create much in a cagey first half, although Chasetown escaped a goalmouth scramble just before the break when Karl Noon and Joe McMahon both had shots blocked as defenders threw their bodies in the way following a Damien Allen free kick into the area.
Chasetown's Dean Perrow got free inside the area and his cheeky claim of a push from behind when his mishit shot was saved by Chris Sanna was waved away by the referee.
Sanna also saved a well-struck Richard Davies shot, while Price's only save of the half was from a Jon Newby's angled effort - when a pullback would have found Karl Noon galloping up in support and in a much better position.
Colwyn Bay, however, made the breakthrough four minutes into the second half.
Luke Denson's shot was blocked, but Hopley volleyed the rebound past Price from 12 yards to put the home side ahead.
The lead should have been increased on 73 minutes with the penalty when Allen was brought down in the area by Chaseton substitute Danny Smith, but Price got down well to turn Newby's spot kick round the post.
That kept Chasetown in the game, but they couldn't force an equaliser in the closing minutes as Colwyn Bay closed ranks to protect their lead.
They created chances on the break, but Newby volleyed a chance over the bar and a poor final ball wasted two other good openings.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft. McLachlan, Allen (Sheehan 74mins), Hopley (Davey 90 mins), Newby, Noon (Evans 81mins). Subs not used: Rey and Challinor.
Attendnace: 485.

WITH only two other games played, Marine's 4-0 win over Ashton keeps them a point behind the Bay in third place, although they have played two games more.
Matlock's postponement means they come to the Bay on Tuesday four points behind with two games in hand.

COLWYN BAY manager Dave Challinor has challenged his players to show their mettle as they face FA Trophy quarter-finalists Chasetown at Llanelian Road on Saturday (Feb 19, 3pm).
It is the first of four consecutive home games for the Seagulls, including three in eight days against leading rivals for a top-five play-off spot.
"We have stressed to the players just what a massive week we have got in front of us. If we can do well in these next three games it will put us in a very strong position," said the player-boss.
"Generally we have played better away than at home this season and we have to change that.
"We need to go out and produce - but it is a situation in which players who really want to progress in the game should absolutely relish."
The club are also urging fans to do their bit by turning out in force to give the team all the support they can over these next eight days, which could prove absolutely crucial in the bid for back-to-back promotions.
Six other play-off contenders are also paired together in what is another huge weekend in the race for a top five finish.
Colwyn Bay will need late fitness checks on skipper Damien Allen (tight hamstring) as well as defender Joe McMahon, who needed five stitches in his mouth after getting an elbow in the face in last Saturday's victory at Frickley.
"I am hoping both will be okay, but Joe had to have a further stitch in his lip this week and the last thing we want is for him to get another bang and for the wound to open up again," said Challinor, who is still not ready to return to the starting line-up due to his ankle ligament injury.
Chasetown, who have lost three of their last seven league fixtures, come into the game nine points behind Colwyn Bay with three games in hand after a 4-2 defeat away to 10-man FC United on Wednesday night.
Challinor travelled to see that game and said: "FC United won because they outworked Chasetown all over the field and that is what we have to try to do."
Chasetown are without vice-captain Dave Egan who suffered a fractured wrist in the FC United game, but have brought in ex-Wrexham attacking midfielder Steve Abbott on loan from Telford.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft, McLachlan, Evans, Allen, Hopley, Newby, Noon, Rey, Sheehan, Davey, Challinor, Coulter.

COLWYN BAY'S play-off hopes got another boost tonight (Feb 17) when Chasetown were beaten 4-2 by 10-man FC United of Manchester.
United had a player sent off when conceding a first half penalty, but the ten men equalised before half-time and two goals by Mike Norton helped them to victory in the second half.
It means Chasetown come to Llanelian Road this Saturday still nine points behind Colwyn Bay with now three games in hand.
The result also means that the Seagulls now have a top-five play-off spot in their own hands.

A GOAL by substitute Karl Noon secured a 1-0 win for Colwyn Bay at Frickley Athletic (Feb 12) and kept the Seagulls in second place in the table.
In a scrappy, untidy game, played on a difficult surface, the Bay deserved the win - although it needed a fine save by Chris Sanna in added time to deny Frickley a late equaliser.
On a day when North Ferriby, Kendal and Northwich Victoria all lost and Worksop dropped two points against Halifax, manager Dave Challinor admitted: "It was another massive three points."
After today's games only four sides (Matlock, Buxton, Worksop and Chasetown) can now overtake the Seagulls by winning their games in hand, compared to seven a week ago.
A scrappy first half on a poor surface saw few chances and neither keeper was extended. The Bay forced five corners to none by Frickley but couldn't make any of them count, although Rob Hopley had a shot cleared off the line from one of them. They also created the best openings of the half only for a poor final ball to let them down.
A great pass by Damien Allen over the full-back's head put Luke Denson free on the right, but his poor cross was easily cut out, Jon Newby failed to reach an unmarked Rob Hopley in front of goal with his cross from the right, and when Newby's flick put Gareth Evans clear, he tried to find Hopley, who was crowded out, instead of shooting himself from the edge of the area.
James Ashmore came closest to a goal for Frickley with a shot that went inches wide.
The second half started just as scrappily with a flurry of bookings on both sides and the Bay lost Joe McMahon with a split lip that required five stitches after getting an elbow in the face.
Dave Challinor's decision to bring on Noon for Gareth Evans after 55 minutes proved a match-winner as nine minutes later Newby's shot from Anthony Sheehan's pass was blocked by a defender's body and Noon fired a first time 20-yard shot into the bottom corner of the net from the rebound for the only goal of the game.
Hopley had a header deflected for a corner from Newby's cross and Newby saw a chipped shot drop wide of the far post as well firing another chance wide as the Bay tried to kill the game off with a second goal.
But they couldn't do it and in a tense finish Chris Sanna made a fine point blank range save from substitute Ashley Longstaff to deny the home side a late equaliser.
Skipper Damien Allen said: "The good sides come to places like this and grind out a result in difficult conditions and that is what we have done today. It keeps us in a great position."
Challinor added: "We knew it would be difficult and the pitch was not too good, so we went with three big lads at the back (Grannon, McMahon and Meadowcroft) from the start. After half-time we felt things would start to open up a bit and looked to change things a little by bringing Karl Noon on - and happily that worked for us.
"To be fair we could have picked them off with a couple more goals after that, but we have seen out the game and it is a massive result for us on a day when other results again went our way.
"While we can keep winning it puts pressure on those teams trying to catch us and we are seeing them slip up. We now have a massive week coming up and hopefully after that we can be in a similar position as now - and some of the people who predicted we would start to fall away will have to eat their words!"
In another superbly committed team effort, I made Luke Denson my man of the match with a some great defensive work, while Danny Meadowcroft also did a tremendous job in a rare start at the back.
"Danny needs games and that is one reason we started with him today," added Challinor. "And it could work out well because Joe could now be a doubt next Saturday after having those stitches in his mouth. "