STAFFORD Rangers slipped to their fifth consecutive away defeat, going down 2-1 at relegation-threatened Whitby Town on Saturday.
Early pressure came from the home side and they took the lead on 19 minutes when Jeff Smith fired home after the visitors had failed to clear a cross.
Chris Morris went close for Rangers, but it was Whitby who increased their advantage just before the interval when Luke George was adjudged to have brought down an opponent and Jamie Clarke converted from the spot.
Rangers improved after the break and Morris forced the ball home on 62 minutes to put the visitors right back in the match.
Both teams had chances in the closing stages, but Rangers' hopes were not helped when defender Karl Espley was shown a late red card for a challenge on Nathan Mulligan.
Rangers, now 12th in the Evo Stik premier table, will look to return to winning ways on Easter Monday, at home to eighth place Nantwich Town (3pm).
On Wednesday evening, Rangers head for Buxton for a re-arranged league game (7.45pm), the match having been postponed for a second time this season last week, due to snow.
