EAGLEY gave their survival chances a shot in the arm with a much-needed 3-1 win at home to Vickerstown.

Simon Whaley’s men remain at the foot of the Premier Division table but thanks to two goals from Jon Stephenson after Bailey Wallace had scored a 10th-minute opener the Eagles have renewed hope of escaping the drop.

“We really needed that win,” said player-manager Whaley. “Last week aside we have played some really good stuff recently but things just haven’t gone for us, we’ve not had the rub of the green. We’ve created chances but not taken them. This week though, we were solid at the back and got three goals.

“I felt we should have had more and it was disappointing to concede but there was a real feeling we’d achieved something at the end, it’s a big confidence boost for us.”

Whaley had suggested a few changes in personnel were on the cards after a 6-1 loss at Slyne With Hest in their previous game, and after promoting players from the reserves and adding experience to the midfield with the debuting David Owen, he got the reaction he was after.

“We changed a few things around and brought some up from the reserves and they did really well,” he said. “We had a good chat with the lads and they know I’ll give them a chance wherever I can, and it’s up to them to make the most of it.

“Bailey scored after good pressure at set pieces, one came out to him on the edge of the box and he put his chance away well.

“We needed a second goal and Jon gave us that, after a good build-up. He got his second flicking on a cross at the near post that went in, another good goal.

“We conceded one late in the game and that was disappointing because they didn’t really trouble us at all during the game.

“But it is a good win and an important three points so we’ll look forward to Saturday’s game and go to Thornton Cleveleys in high spirits. It’s not over yet, we’re only four points adrift so we’ll just keep trying to apply pressure and hopefully the teams abov will start to crumble.”

Tempest United returned from their long journey to Whitehaven with three points to move into fifth in the table.

An early start and a late finish to the day for United at least brought a 3-0 win, courtesy of two goals by Nathan Monson after Sean Rockwell had put his side in front.

And assistant manager Gary Westhead admits he was far happier about the result than the performance.

“It was a long old journey up there and it is difficult to get going right from the off after more than two-and-a-half hours of driving,” he said. “We could have been a goal down inside the first minute, how their player missed from a few yards out I don’t know.

“We didn’t play that well even though we were in control, the whole game was flat. We were comfortable without being at our best and it should have been six or seven but we’ll take it.”

Tempest still have to play leaders Longridge Town and third-placed Fulwood Amateurs twice each but, far from dreading those games, Westhead says the matches are chances to make up ground on those sides above them.

Key to that will be an improvement on their home form, as they have won just three of the eight games they have hosted.

“We still have these top teams to play, but we’re looking to reach about 50 points, that would be a good return for us back at this level and better than we have ever done,” he said.

“We seem to play better on the big, open pitches that we have been to this season. Slyne With Hest (this weekend’s opponents) aren’t setting the world alight and they also have a big pitch which hopefully will suit us with our pace.”

Elsewhere, Turton were 3-0 winners against Crooklands Casuals, thanks to Sam Cook and Luke Bradbury adding to an own goal.

In Division One Stoneclough let a two-goal lead slip at home to Hurst Green.

Stoneclough led through Steve Ward and Kieron Yates but conceded in the 74th and 79th minutes to draw 2-2.

CMB also drew 2-2, at home to Askam United but Ladybridge were beaten 2-1 at Wyre Villa.