tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17775103.post-19573227988694835482008-03-17T17:47:00.000Z2008-03-17T17:48:54.634Z<p><br />Tony Glennon </p><p>17/ 3/2008</p><p>FC UNITED chief Karl Marginson conceded the Rebels were fortunate to step up their UniBond first division north championship assault with a 3-2 home victory over Newcastle Blue Star.<br /><br />Sub Simon Carden's injury-time winner got FC out of jail after they'd squandered an early two-goal lead.Rory Patterson's double had put Marginson's men in control inside the first quarter.<br /><br />But FC then allowed the visitors to draw level with two late goals before Carden's last-gasp strike secured a win which takes them to within nine points of leaders Skelmersdale, who crashed 1-0 to fellow title challengers Bradford Park Avenue.<br /><br />"We very nearly shot ourselves in the foot, so, in the end, it turned out to be a massive three points for us," said Marginson, whose fifth-placed side will go top if they win their games in hand.<br /><br />"We were by no means at our best, but credit to the boys for responding so well after Newcastle had equalised with just seven minutes left."<br /><br />Meanwhile, second-placed Curzon Ashton wasted a chance to close the gap on Skem as they went down 1-0 at Garforth.<br /><br />Premier leaders Witton remain firmly on course for the title and automatic promotion to Blue Square North despite being held 1-1 at Guiseley, but Ashton United's relegation fears returned with a vengeance in a 5-2 defeat at Eastwood.<br /><br />Trafford maintained their firm grip on top spot in the Vodkat League with Scott Barlow's hat-trick helping them sink rock-bottom Nelson 4-2.<br /><br /><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17775103-1957322798869483548?l=punkfootball.blogspot.com'/></div>che liveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17002690662369975949noreply@blogger.com