Liam Tongue rounded off his short interim spell as Stalybridge Celtic boss in style on Tuesday with a statement 3-1 victory over Stafford Rangers.
A brace from Lewis Rawsthorn helped the hosts land back-to-back victories and inflict just a second league defeat of the season onto their high-flying visitors.
Jack Irlam drilled home the opener after just six minutes, before Darrhyl Mason – who haunted Celtic in last season’s play-off final – cancelled out their advantage before the break.
But Rawsthorn restored his side’s advantage within three minutes of the restart, before adding his second, and Celtic’s third, just past the hour.
From there, Tongue’s men took control of the meeting to see out an eye-catching victory.
The midfielder will return to his role as skipper this weekend, with new boss Dave Jones taking charge of the side for the first time, as Celtic host Prescot Cables.
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