The ground staff's hard work enabled the 1,120 fans to witness a vital penalty save by Craig Dootson before Jamie Milligan scored twice, including the winner three minutes from time.

Work on the pitch throughout the morning ensured the surface passed a late inspection.

However, the use of the sprinkler system to help thaw the ground resulted in patches of surface water which disrupted the smooth passing game favoured by the home side.

And their problems worsened on 12 minutes, when Bob Wilson opened the scoring for the visitors with an uncontested header from a free-kick just inside the home half.

With Steve McNulty and Jamie McGuire both suspended, Nathan Pond partnered Michael Taylor at the heart of defence and Milligan was recalled in midfield.

Leading scorer Adam Warlow was unfit, meaning a start for Nick Rogan up front alongside Gareth Seddon.

Midweek hat-trick hero Sean Clancy started on the bench after leaving the action early at Northwich on Tuesday with a hamstring injury.

The first half was disappointing as both sides adapted to the difficult conditions, and neither defence had been tested until Rogan fouled Tom Thorley to concede the free-kick from which Wilson headed the opener at the far-post.

Fleetwood were forced into some desperate defending moments later, when Steven Connors threw himself to block as shot after the ball fell loose in the home area.

Town's first chance followed a skilful run down the right by Jamie Mullan, whose cross was headed out as far as Connors but he fired straight at Lee Evans in the Stafford goal.

Some promising Fleetwood attacks were lacking a finishing touch, and another fine cross by Mullan was sliced over the top by Pond from six yards.

Rogan did unleash one stunning shot which left Andre Francis not knowing what hit him, but it was a job well done by the Stafford man.
Crucial

The crucial chance to make it 2-0 fell to Levi Reid on 36 minutes, when Shaun Beeley conceded a penalty for a foul on Henrik Ojamma.

But keeper Craig Dootson guessed correctly to save Reid's effort low to his right and ensure that Town were still only one down at half-time.

Rogan looked the likeliest Fleetwood player to produce an equaliser and he forced a smart save from Evans, who palmed his shot away five minutes after the restart.

Milligan's leveller came on the hour after a good one-two with Seddon, whose shot was pushed away by Evans only for the midfielder to volley home.

The home side were now in charge but had to wait until the 87th minute for their winner.

Seddon was floored some 25 yards out, and although the free-kick was close to the touchline Milligan still managed to curl the ball past Evans and spark ecstatic celebrations in front of the home dugout.

It rewarded an inspiring performance from the club captain, who had started only one of the previous five games.

Stafford pushed for a last-gasp equaliser but their hopes were dashed when Francis flattened Rogan close to the halfway line to earn a red card.

Manager Micky Mellon said afterwards: "The pitch made it really tough going today for both sets of players but they coped. It's full credit to all the ground staff for pulling the game together."

His side are now unbeaten in 15 home matches this season and unbeaten in their last nine in the league. How they would love to extend those records in the festive double-header against leaders Southport, starting at Haig Avenue on Boxing Day.

Fleetwood team: Dootson, Beeley, Wright, Taylor, Pond, Milligan, Torpey (Clancy), Connors, Rogan, Seddon, Mullan; subs not used: Cahill, Hills, Hurst (GK), Wilde.

Derick Thomas