Marston misery
By Nigel Biddlecombe

AFTER gifting Stafford their first win of the season back in September the Terras handed struggling Rangers a second Blue Square Premier victory on Saturday.

Weymouth were firmly brought back to Earth at Marston Road after Tuesday's 4-0 win over Ebbsfleet United and are still just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Manager John Hollins made one change to the side that defeated Ebbsfleet with Narada Bernard replacing the recovering Trevor Challis, who underwent surgery to mend a broken nose last week.

The visitors were first to threaten when, in the third minute, Michael Malcolm and James Coutts combined before the former crossed to the far post.

Anton Robinson found space to fire in a shot but home keeper Danny Alcock was able to tip the ball over.

Weymouth continued to press and Kyle Critchell sent an effort over the bar as they forced two corners in quick succession.

Kevin Street's 25-yard effort was comfortably saved a minute later, before Marcus Browning failed to capitalise when Alcock dropped a cross from Critchell and Coutts saw his headed effort saved.

The home side opened the scoring after 29 minutes when Damion Jarrett sent a right-sided free-kick into the area where 43-year-old player-manager Grayson rose above the static visiting defence to head home.

Browning then sent another header over the bar while a shot from the Terras' skipper was easily saved by Alcock.

And the home keeper came to the rescue just before the half-time whistle when he saved at the feet of Coutts as the Weymouth man tried to latch on to a through ball from Paolo Vernazza.

Hollins' side were applying the pressure at the start of the second period but failed to cause the hosts any serious problems.

Coutts hammered a free-kick into the defensive wall and then found himself caught offside as the ball was played back in.

When Hollins introduced Simon Weatherstone and Nick Critten-den, reverting to a three-man back line, the Terras seemed to take control.

Vernazza and Browning worked to create an opening for Weatherstone who brought a fine save from Alcock with his first touch of the game before shooting wide just minutes later.

Crittenden also shot wide while Grayson was on hand to clear a Weatherstone effort off the goal line before Scott Doe fired over the bar.

Olaoye missed the target in the 70th minute, and then, somewhat belatedly the Terras introduced Gavin McCallum in place of Malcolm.

And the change paid off as McCallum levelled the scores with his first touch.

Crittenden worked hard on the right before giving the ball to Vernazza to cross, and McCallum somehow out-jumped Wayne Daniel to power his header past Alcock.

In reply, Grayson shot wide while Daniel sent his header straight into the arms of a grateful Matthews before the Terras missed two great opportunities to take the lead as Vernazza's header and Beavon's fierce drive both missed the target.

And the visitors were made to pay when Stafford wrapped up the points with just six minutes left to play.

A free-kick from Jarrett provoked a scramble in the Terras' goal-mouth which ended when Courtney Shaw, fresh from the substitutes' bench, drove home. There was still time for Weymouth to equalise again but Vernazza saw his effort come back off an upright while Weatherstone blazed a shot high enough to interest the England rugby selectors.

The final whistle left the Terras pointless and the 84 visiting fans that made the trip to Marston Road wondering where the next points will come from.