Marine 1-2 Buxton

Marine's recent improved form came to a halt as visitors Buxton secured all three points at the MTA for the third successive season. Manager Sean Hessey brought James Short and Warren Bellew into the starting line-up to replace Stephen Wainwright and Alex Davies, both of whom had picked up injuries in Saturday's draw at Mickleover Sports.

In the opening period Danny Mitchley came closest to an opening goal on 17 minutes as he picked up possession from a throw-in before firing in a low shot from 25 yards, Bucks custodian Wright having to dive full-length to parry behind one-handed.

However just three minutes later and the Mariners fell behind in disappointing fashion to the visitors' first chance of any note. A corner from the Buxton right was headed away by James Foley, but Doran found himself unmarked on the edge of the 'd' and had time to take a touch before volleying home inside Matt Cooper's right-hand post via a deflection.

The Whites then forced a corner of their own which the Buxton defence cleared from their area, Lewis Codling sending a speculative volley back with interest but the ball flew a couple of yards wide of target.

The Crosby side found their equaliser just after the half-hour mark as leading scorer Mitchley turned provider, the hotshot's cross-shot from the corner of the area being turned home with aplomb by Chris Sharp who opened his Marine account with a fine finish to delight the home faithful bathed in dazzling light at the Crosender Road end.

Eight minutes from the break Mitchley met a half-cleared ball on the volley, but sent his shot soaring way over the bar. No further chances of note were created as the sides remained level heading into the dressing rooms at the end of an action-lacked first half.

The second period brought about a slightly more lively affair with Marine, as they had at Mickleover, controlling large parts of the game but being unable to apply the coup de grace. The Whites had the ball in the net within two minutes of the restart as Bellew's neat pass allowed Mitchley to apply a classy finish over Wright, however the home side's joy was short-lived as the Assistant had already raised his flag to signal offside.

Both managers made changes to try and affect proceedings, with Andy Owens and Charlie Barnett being introduced for the Mariners. Owens almost made an immediate impact as Liam Willis' first-time ball from halfway played the ex-Telford striker through, but Owens took the ball wider than he would have liked, although he still managed to get a shot way which was blocked behind for a corner.

From the subsequent quadrant-kick the Whites recycled possession and the ball arrived at the feet of Mitchley on the edge of the box, Mitchley turning sharply before hitting a low half-volley which rolled a yard wide of the right-hand post.

The winning goal arrived on 78 minutes somewhat against the run of play, but the strike itself arguably deserved to secure all three points in a game short on moments of genuine quality. The Marine rearguard struggled to clear their lines as the Bucks penned them into their defensive third for a prolonged period. The ball was eventually cleared to Blues' midfielder Harris who stepped forward almost 30 yards from goal and fired a venomous shot which swerved away from the diving Cooper and inside the left-hand upright to stun Hessey's men.

The Mariners pushed for a second equaliser and Codling received possession just outside the Buxton box, but his low shot was directed straight at Wright who gathered comfortably.

A long-ball forward then saw Mitchley show his skill to outmanouevre the last Bucks defender, but having created the opportunity for himself the former Skelmersdale striker's left-footed volley from 15 yards cleared the College Road end crossbar.

Codling's surge inside the Buxton half then took him into the visitors' penalty area, but his touch took him across the box and Codling couldn't quite manage to turn the ball back into the danger area as the ball flew wide of the near post.

As the game reached added time it was the Bucks who could have extended their advantage as they broke forward and a crossfield ball found the in-form Barraclough, however the Blues' number nine shot straight at Cooper.

The full-time whistle signalled the end to a disappointing evening for the Mariners, who are still positioned perilously close to the EvoStik Premier Division drop zone.

The Mariners begin a run of four games against other relegation-threatened sides on Saturday as they travel to face Stamford at the Zeeco Arena, kick off is at 3:00pm.

Marine: Matt Cooper, James Short, Andy Nicholas (c), Liam Goulding, James Foley (Charlie Barnett 79), Liam Willis, Warren Bellew (Andy Owens 72), Sean Myler, Danny Mitchley, Chris Sharp, Lewis Codling.

Unused subs: Chad Whyte, Sean Hessey, Jack Hunter. Cautions: Myler.

Buxton: Myles Wright, Joel Bembo-Leta, Jamie Green, Ricky Ravenhill, Chris Salt, Greg Young (c), Alastair Taylor, Spencer Harris, Bradley Barraclough, Alex Wiles (Ash Worsfold 67), Niall Doran (Ash Burbeary 57).

Unused subs: George Grayson, Tom Buckley, Fabrice Bembo-Leta. Cautions: none

Goals: Marine; Sharp (32)
Buxton; Doran (20), Harris (78).

Referee: Mr Simeon Lucas
Assistants: Mr Paul Bell and Mr Christopher Thomson

Attendance: 319