Match report by Dave McMillan

Late goals from ace marksman Marcus Carver fired Marine to the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table, as they beat Buxton 2-0 at the Arriva Stadium on Tuesday night after a grandstand finale.

The Mariners had to wait until the 85th minute before opening the scoring, with the second goal coming in injury time to seal the win against a Bucks side who had enjoyed plenty of possession without forcing Callum Williams in to many saves.

Kevin Lynch’s men were some way short of their best but still recorded the win, and probably had the clearer chances particularly late on as the visitors pressed for a winner.

The first half saw one chance for each side, Buxton going close when Jordan Thewlis nicked the ball past Williams with it rolling towards the net, but Shaun Dowling got back to clear off the line.

Andy Fowler had Marine’s reply, Carver doing well to retrieve the ball near the corner flag and set up the irrepressible winger, to shoot powerfully and bring a good stop from Steve Collis in the Buxton goal.

Fowler was again in action early in the second half, driving in to the right of the area before having an angled drive cleared off the line with Collis beaten, with another great effort dipping just over the bar.

Thewlis was at the heart of most of the visitors’ attacking play, Matty Brown putting in an excellent saving tackle on the forward as he tried to turn in the box, as Buxton continued to try to win the game.

The Buxton goal had an escape when Nick Rogan’s shot came back off the bar, John Shaw following to head goalward with another clearance off the line preventing a certain goal.

When a goal did come it was Marine who got it, a lightning quick break down the left and astute pass from Rogan sending Carver away, with the young striker keeping his composure to race in to the area and slide the ball inside the far post, past the advancing Collis.

Carver was in again as Marine finished strongly, this time Collis producing a fine save to block the shot from a similar position, Liam Dawson blazing the rebound over the top.

Thewlis got in on the left to lob over Williams, the ball floating towards the top corner before Shaw arrived in the nick of time to head over for a corner.

Within seconds the ball was down the other end, Fowler collecting it in his own half and having the freedom of Crosby to bear down on goal, before unselfishly squaring to leave the new darling of the Arriva faithful the simplest of tasks to wrap up the points and the League leadership for the Mariners.

Marine: Callum Williams, Shaun Dowling, John Shaw, Matty Brown (Cap), Danny Grannon, Robbie Lawton (Joe Holt 45), Andy Fowler, Jonathan Goulding, Marcus Carver, Karl Noon (Liam Dawson 72), Michael Ordish (Nick Rogan 58).

Unused subs: Thomas Moore, Paul Lundon. Cautions: Shaw, Goulding.

Buxton: Steve Collis, Grant Black, Kevin Sandwith, Steve Istead (Cap), David Haggerty, Kallum Keane, Kieran Lugsden, Michael Towey, Jordan Thewlis, Kyle Nix (Marc Roberts 90), Steve Maxfield (Sam Duncum 72).

Unused subs: Neil Stevens, Tom Turner. Cautions: Istead, Lugsden, Thewlis.

Referee: Mr. Richard Bartlett (Sale); Assistants Mr. Martin Howe (Manchester), Mr. Joseph Perselli (Urmston).

Attendance: 318.