The 30-year-old will be joining the Dabbers as both a player and as his new assistant manager for the 2013-14 season.

Davis, a former Southport centre half, says he is raring to go and looking forward to the challenge of the new season.

He said: “I hadn’t been to Nantwich Town before, but seeing the wonderful facilities and potential here and knowing Danny as I do and the plans he has, I didn’t have to think long about joining him in this exciting new venture.

“I’m looking forward to working with him to develop and manage the team.

“I’m also looking forward to playing in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and hopefully giving the supporters something to cheer about.”

Johnson said:  ”I am absolutely delighted that Earl Davis has accepted the offer to become my new Player / Assistant Manager.

“This is a massive coup for Nantwich Town Football Club and it has added to the excitement I already have for the new season.

“I have known Earl a long time and he brings with him a wealth of playing experience and the fact that he has won two Conference North titles as a player gives you some indication of the type of qualities he will bring to the club.

“I am sure all our supporters will join me in welcoming Earl to the Weaver Stadium.”

(Pic courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

And the victory proved the perfect tribute to caretaker player-manager Darren Moss in his last game in charge.

Forward Harry Clayton slotted home at the near post on 37 minutes when Zac Foster took advantage of Blyth full-back Phil Airey’s loss in concentration to get to the byline and cross.

Airey thought the ball had gone out of play but failed to play to the whistle.

Massive Spartans striker Andy Jennings then won a penalty on 60 minutes when Dabbers goalkeeper Jon Brain went to ground at his feet, although there seemed little contact.

Airey took the penalty but Brain saved with his feet. However Jennings was on hand to power in the rebound just inside the box to make it 1-1.

Substitute Hudson then silenced the rowdy Blyth crowd when his attempted cross from 40 yards out evaded Airey in Blyth’s defence and beat stopper, Mark Cook, at his near post.

There was controversy on seven minutes when Cook handled a Josh Lane shot outside his box however referee, Joe Clark, only gave him a caution.

Strong wind played havoc all day and forced Nantwich striker Kyle Wilson’s attempted chip wide on 10 minutes.

Blyth’s back five dallying was a feature of the game and Wilson chased down Cook’s attempted clearance nearly poking in from an angle on 21.

Jennings was unsurprisingly a handful all game but he could only scuff wide on 44.

At 1-0 up the Dabbers strung together a few passes and Niall Maguire shot a cultured effort just over on 53.

Blyth would have equalised on 85 minutes had it not been for Nantwich captain Charles Raglan hooking away just when Jennings was ready to tap in an empty net.

Nantwich’s 2-1 lead never looked completely safe however Blyth’s insistence on giving the ball away meant they struggled to create chances from open play.

Victory means Nantwich finished in 14th place in the Evo-Stik Premier League, with 53 points from 42 games.

North Ferriby United are champions and gain automatic promotion on goal difference from Hednesford Town in a dramatic last day.

Eastwood Town and Kendal Town finish in the bottom two and face relegation.

(All pics by Simon J Newbury Photography)

Dabbers had levelled with seven minutes left, but the hosts hit back with a late late show of their own.

Buxton had taken an early lead on 19 minutes when tricky winger Sam Duncum arrived at the back post to tap in the opener from a Reed cross against the run of play.

It was a simple goal that would have frustrated a Dabbers side that might have already been three goals ahead.

Nantwich battled for an equaliser but the Bucks stood firm for the remainder of the first half, Marc Roberts a rock in their defence.

Tom Bentham was delighted to score his second ever Nantwich goal to make it 1-1 on 83 minutes after a wayward Joe Guest shot had deflected to his feet.

The men in green and white celebrated with their caretaker manager, Darren Moss, thanking him for his efforts in temporary charge.

But Buxton were given a dubious corner two minutes later which defender Ash Palmer volleyed in to make it 2-1.

And Reed, making his 400th appearance for Buxton, scored the host’s third from a penalty on 92 minutes after referee Thomas Bramall saw a Cole tug on the veteran striker.

Nantwich could have put the game beyond their hosts in the first 15 minutes had it not been for point-blank misses from Harry Clayton and Josh Lane who made his 50th club appearance.

Kyle Wilson also had opportunities to open the scoring for the Dabbers, testing the Buck’s Deakin with a shot and a header.

But it was not to be and Nantwich remain in 16th place in the Evo-Stik Premier with one game remaining at home to Blyth this Saturday May 4.

Nantwich XI: Brain Cole, Foster, Hughes, Raglan, Dicker, Wilson (Bentham 59), Maguire (Devenney 69), Lane (Everall 69), Clayton, Guest. Subs: Moss, Bailey

(pic by Simon J Newbury Photography)

The 37-year-old joins the Dabbers after their final home game against Blyth Spartans this Saturday.

Johnson has made a name for himself in non league circles firstly at Trafford and then for the last six years at fellow Evo-Stik Premier Division Club Ashton United.

Nantwich Chairman Jon Gold said: “We are thrilled that Danny has agreed to be our new manager as he was always someone we held in the greatest esteem due to his consistent achievements at Ashton United over a long period of time.

“He has the passion and all the qualities to build on our past successs and is someone who we firmly believe can introduce some stability and consistency to the club, whilst building a team that will take us forward in the Months and years to come.

“We had over 50 applicants for the position and the overall quality was very flattering, but Danny met all the requirements we advertised for in that he has a great knowledge of the non league system, its teams and players and a proven track record of success at this level and he shares our long term vision and strategy for sustainable success.

“He’s a talented young manager and passionate about Football and with his open and honest approach, I am sure he will soon become a big favourite of our supporters.

“I would also like to place on record our sincere thanks for the wonderful job that Darren Moss has done in care-taking the role recently.

“He has revitalised the club, its players and supporters when they needed it most and made our decision in appointing a manager more difficult.

“I am certain that he will go on to become an excellent manager in the future and hopefully this experience will have helped him immensely.”

And the 2-0 victory lifted the hosts above the Dabbers in the Evo-Stik Premier League.

The match felt like a friendly at times with little more than bragging rights and a higher finishing place in the division to play for.

On 14 minutes Nantwich defender Charlie Raglan scuffed an attempted clearance to Rangers’ midfielder Kinsella who found the sweet spot perfectly driving past Jon Brain from the edge of the Dabbers’ area.

Rangers fans’ favourite Turner made it 2-0 with a thunderous diving header on 67 minutes from a corner.

Dabbers forward Kyle Wilson showed confidence shooting from distance after a minute but was easily thwarted by Rangers keeper Adam Alcock.

Kinsella gave a glimpse of things to come as he fired over on five minutes.

There were optimistic appeals for a Rangers penalty on 11 minutes as Raglan challenged Jon Sheldon in the area.

Ex-Dabber Chris Flynn seemed to handle in his penalty area from a Joe Guest flick on 25 minutes but the referee waved the Nantwich protests away, gesturing to his head.

Caretaker player-manager Darren Moss sent his side out early for the second half and they looked motivated to turn things around.

Striker Tom Bentham, returning from a bad back, had the ball in the net on 50 minutes but the assistant referee had flagged for offside.

Aaron Cole gave a free-kick to Stafford to the right of Brain’s area on 59 minutes and received a yellow card but the set piece was wasted and easily cleared.

PJ Hudson shot wide of Alcock’s goal on 75 minutes and Guest could only find the redundant goalkeeper’s hands with a free-kick in the 79th.

The Dabbers never really showed signs of a comeback and the game’s slow tempo was to Stafford’s advantage until the final whistle.

Nantwich drop two places to 16th with two games to play away to Buxton on Wednesday night and home to Blyth Spartans next Saturday.

Park Steels’ towering striker Danny South ran riot as the Dabbers’ winning run came to an abrupt end.

South’s heading ability proved too hot to handle for a below-par away defence last night (April 23) as the hosts scored four of their five goals inside the six-yard box.

In-form Nantwich started well and Joe Guest and Harry Clayton nearly scored from long range.

Striker Clayton gave Nantwich the lead on 17 minutes with a close-range header when Guest’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Ryan Dicker.

But Dabbers dominance was checked just seven minutes later when Stocksbridge centre back Nick Swirad, headed an equaliser from a Chris Bettney corner.

The leveller gave the hosts more belief to push up and pressure Niall Maguire and Oliver Devenney in Nantwich’s midfield.

Steels’ captain Richard Haigh headed against the bar and over on 28 minutes, before South nodded home from a long throw which should have been cleared in the 31st minute.

South continued to dominate every ball in the air, and Nantwich were lucky not to give away a penalty on two occasions.

Firstly, Maguire looked to handle the ball before right-back Aaron Cole brought down South in the penalty area.

Both appeals were waved away by the referee.

But just two minutes after the restart,  Steels extended their lead when South nodded down for Tommy Agus to tap in.

Clayton continued to threaten up from for Nantwich, but as they built pressure looking for a way back they fell 4-1 down when an unchallenged Nicky Darker finished with aplomb from the edge of the area on 61 minutes.

Five minutes later, Haigh capitalised on the Dabbers’ inability to clear a corner poking in to make it 5-1.

Nantwich’s hardcore fans saw the funny side, singing “we’re gonna beat you 6-5″.

And they were offered some consolation when Kyle Wilson made it 5-2 with a tap in on 76 minutes after Scott parried a Chris Bailey pile-driver.

Wilson also went close one-on-one but Scott stood up well to save, and on 83 minutes Tom Bentham was free on goal but his tame effort was easily saved.

Stocksbridge also cleared off the line twice in the final minute, but the result was never in doubt by that point.

Nantwich: Brain, Cole, Bailey, Devenney, Raglan (c) (Moss 56), Dicker, Hudson, Maguire. Wilson, Clayton (Lane 66), Guest (Bentham 51). Subs: Hughes, Foster.

(pic by Simon J Newbury)

Guest’s strike helped the Dabbers overcome a spirited Frickley Athletic who put in their own late flourish.

The visitors’ towering centre back Patrece Liburd tripped Guest as he weaved his way towards Jamie Green’s goal on 86 minutes.

The foul earned Liburd a second yellow and a sending off.

The penalty brought relief to the Dabbers’ faithful who had two minutes earlier seen Frickley’s Jake Picton make it two goals apiece on 84 minutes.

Picton capitalised on a weak Ryan Dicker header meant for goalkeeper Jon Brain, and finished coolly over the in-form stopper.

Nantwich made a confident start and Caspar Hughes played a calm pass to Harry Clayton who surged past Jason Yates to fire across Green and open the scoring on four minutes.

The joy of the home fans was short lived, though, and Frickley’s Jamie Wootton glanced a header beyond Nantwich’s Brain from a Yates’ free kick on six minutes.

Following their equaliser, The Blues were on top for a 20-minute period as Nantwich looked shell-shocked.

But it was not long before the home side rediscovered their passing game and started to dominate possession again.

On 26 minutes Charles Raglan hit home on the Frickley back post from a PJ Hudson corner.

Nantwich’s defence looked comfortable until half time and the home side’s narrow lead seemed strong.

In the second half Frickley’s strong centre forward Allott gave the Nantwich defence the runaround, and put Chris Howarth through on goal but his shot was saved by Brain on 80 minutes.

Nantwich seemed satisfied to maintain their lead in the second half, however Picton’s late goal meant the Dabbers had to push again for a winner.

Substitute Guest managed to create and score the necessary third goal from the penalty spot and Nantwich could have scored a fourth in added time as Kyle Wilson hit the bar with Clayton heading in only to be adjudged offside.

The Dabbers could go 12th in the Evo-Stik Premier League if they win their game in hand over Ilkeston FC and Whitby Town.

Nantwich: Jon Brain; Aaron Cole, Chris Bailey, Charles Raglan (c), Ryan Dicker; Caspar Hughes (Joe Guest 82), Niall Maguire, Oliver Devenney, Harry Clayton, PJ Hudson (Josh Lane 77); Tom Bentham (Kyle Wilson 54). Subs: Darren Moss, Zak Foster.

(Pics by Simon J Newbury Photography)

Frickley lag eight points behind Nantwich in the Evo-Stik Premier, having played a game more.

They have not won in the league for five games since their trip away to bottom-of-the-table Eastwood Town.

Nantwich have played with a youthful abandon of late, going unbeaten for four games and conceding only two goals with two clean sheets including one against table-toppers, North Ferriby United.

The solid defensive efforts have been aided by goalkeeper Jon Brain’s heroics which sees him stake a strong claim to win the club’s Player of the Year award for 2012/13 for the second consecutive season.

“Team spirit is the best it’s been for a long time and it’s showing on the pitch, we showed great character on Saturday,” said caretaker manager Darren Moss.

“Frickley are a hard-working team as we saw at their place. Their centre forward is a handful.

“But we know we can match any team now and are determined to keep our run going.”

Barring any late fitness issues, The Dabbers squad boasts a clean bill of health approaching the game, with midfielder Joe Guest back in contention.

Kick off tomorrow (Saturday April 20) is 3pm.

Meanwhile, former Nantwich favourite Sean Cooke has scooped the Evo-Stik Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

The former Crewe Alexandra youth player spent most of the season at the Weaver Stadium before joining AFC Fylde in February.

Cooke (pictured, right) said: “I had two fantastic seasons at Nantwich, it was my hometown club and it will always have a special place in my heart.

“I would like to thank all the people involved with the club and the wonderful supporters who always encouraged me and they are definitely among the best in the league!

“Whilst my priorities are now in hopefully helping my new club AFC Fylde to promotion, I’ll never forget the massive part that Nantwich Town has played in my career so far.”

The Dabbers extended their unbeaten run to four with the goalless draw in a backs to the wall effort.

Ferriby’s profligacy also allowed promotion rivals Hednesford Town, who beat Whitby 4-0, to join them at the top of the league on points.

Ferriby flew out of the traps but the Dabbers defence stood firm to the immense frustration of the home faithful and players.

And despite two one-on-ones for striker Ryan Kendall, poor finishing and goalkeeping heroics by Nantwich’s Jon Brain meant the Villagers would rue what could have been.

Kendall was put through by Liam King but Brain saved with his left hand on 36 minutes.

The Ferriby striker had an identical chance on the stroke of half time but again Brain stood up well to maintain his clean sheet.

The hosts continued at a ferocious pace for the opening 15 minutes getting the ball forward quickly which led to Ferriby’s Kendall and Gary Bradshaw shooting wide off a hard pitch on two and 12 minutes respectively.

Nantwich’s Charles Raglan and Ryan Dicker were characteristically composed and the Dabbers grew in to the game, which saw Harry Clayton blaze over on 13 minutes.

Targetman Tom Bentham had a penalty shout turned down after he appeared to be shoved in the back when attacking a Josh Lane cross.

And loanee, Clayton was apparently struck by a Kendall arm on 36 minutes but the referee and his assistants saw no infringement.

Ferriby’s Adam Nicklin was forced to tip over from a Lane header following an Oliver Devenney free kick on 67 minutes.

The Villagers spent the last 10 minutes of the game camped in the Dabbers half, pumping cross after cross into their opponents’ box.

But they lacked composure to find a goal and Darren Moss’ Nantwich earned a deserved draw to cut the gap to 13th to two points.

Nantwich: Brain, Cole, Bailey (Foster 45), Maguire, Raglan (c), Dicker, Lane (Wilson 81), Devenney, Bentham, Clayton, Hudson. Subs: Hughes, Moss, Everall

Clayton (pictured) thumped home a leveller for Nantwich as they came from behind to beat Whitby 2-1.

Nantwich proved their wins against Witton Albion and Eastwood Town were no flukes as they passed Whitby off the Weaver Stadium pitch.

And it was too much for the visitors who had their manager and captain sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Despite the Dabbers dominating possession and chances in the first half the visitors took the lead.

Graeme Armstrong scored from a penalty after Ryan Dicker’s challenge on Nathan Mulligan was deemed a foul by busy referee, Barry Cropp.

Nantwich’s youngsters came out for the second half with determination and it was only four minutes until Crewe Alex loanee Clayton took full advantage of an Alex White miss-kick to fire powerfully over Whitby goalkeeper David Campbell.

The Dabbers’ tails were up and it was not long before Oliver Devenney calmly stroked home a second after Josh Lane’s direct run and shot from a narrow angle could only be parried by Campbell in the 54th minute.

Nantwich’s back four kept their composure and shape, forcing the away team in to long shots from Armstrong early on.

Recent Nantwich signing Tom Bentham looked strong and the hosts continued to pass the ball well.

Clayton saw a powerful long effort whistle wide before Whitby’s penalty gave them an unexpected lead.

But that only spurred the Dabbers on to produce a sterling comeback.

Whitby did create several chances at 2-1 but Nantwich always looked like scoring a third with Joe Guest forcing a save after a skilful Clayton run and pass.

With only a couple of minutes of stoppage time remaining there was still time for Whitby captain Kevin Burgess to see red for a bad tackle and their manager, Darren Williams, suffered the same fate when he swore at the referee.

Nantwich: Brain; Cole, Bailey, Raglan (c), Dicker; Devenney (Hughes ’77), Maguire; Guest, Lane (Hudson 87), Clayton; Bentham . Subs: Foster, Moss, Wilson, Hughes, Hudson.

The Dabbers secured a narrow 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Eastwood Town.

Clayton, on a second one-month loan from Crewe Alexandra and brother of The Railwaymen’s Max Clayton, dispatched his penalty in to the middle of Eastwood Town goalkeeper Alex Malong’s net in the 56th minute when PJ Hudson was tripped in the area.

After a first half in which Dabbers dominated possession but the Badgers had the best chances, the hosts looked determined to capitalise on their dominance as soon as the second half began and this led to Clayton’s goal.

Eastwood had real problems in the first 45 minutes dealing with attacks down their right with full back Daniel Roberts struggling to keep close to Nantwich’s PJ Hudson at left wing.

Hudson and team-mate Chris Bailey constantly found space on their flank which Caspar Hughes in the Nantwich midfield made the most of with several cross-field balls leading to crossing chances.

Despite Hudson often having the freedom of the Weaver Stadium pitch though, he regularly failed to find the head of ex-Maine Road FC striker Tom Bentham who previously scored against Witton Easter Monday.

In the 40th minute though, after Nantwich’s attacks had become increasingly tame, the ball fell to Eastwood Town’s Dominic Allen barely six yards out but his shot was deflected away by Jon Brain.

The ball bounced kindly at fellow forward Romaine Graham’s feet, who inexplicably fired over.

At 1-0 Nantwich’s comfort in possession really came to the fore.

However their profligacy meant they did not score as many as they would have liked against an Eastwood side who lie bottom of the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier.

Nantwich: Brain; Cole, Bailey, Raglan (c), Dicker; Maguire, Hughes, Guest, Clayton, Hudson (Lane 67); Bentham (Wilson 72). Subs: Ringstead, Foster, Devenney.

Both players netted close-range tap-ins to secure victory over their Cheshire rivals.

But Darren Moss’ men were forced to endure a nervy finish, after Steve Foster reduced the deficit 13 minutes from time.

Nantwich should have opened the scoring on nine minutes, when a lucky deflection sent Bentham clean through on goal.

However, the former Maine Road FC frontman fired straight at goalkeeper Matthew Cooper.

Foster squandered an equally good chance at the other end moments later.

Charlie Raglan’s cross-field pass was intercepted by Josh Hancock, who slid a neat ball into the path of Foster, only for Jon Brain to make a smart save.

Brain then appeared to handle the ball outside of his penalty area, but referee Steve Swallow saw no infringement.

The Dabbers broke the deadlock on 23 minutes, as Cooper palmed Bentham’s low drive straight to Clayton, who calmly tucked away the rebound.

Bentham almost doubled Nantwich’s lead three minutes before the break, but his lobbed effort looped just wide.

The 22-year-old atoned for his miss in first-half stoppage time.

Niall Maguire burst down the left and squared the ball to Bentham, who was presented with the simplest of finishes from four yards.

Defender Marc Joseph, who was making his debut for Witton, was lucky not be sent off early in the second period.

The Antigua and Barbuda international struck Bentham in the face during an off-the-ball altercation, which was missed by the referee.

Josh Lane replaced Bentham just after the hour-mark and, without their target man, the hosts struggled to retain possession, and Witton began to look dangerous.

Nantwich were immediately dealt a severe warning, as Hancock’s fizzing long-range drive inexplicably bounced to safety off the inside of Brain’s far post.

The pressure eventually told. A whipped Daniel Andrews free kick fell to the feet of Foster, who smashed his half volley into the roof of the net from the centre of a crowded six-yard box.

Witton piled forward in search of an equaliser that would have seen them extend their unbeaten run to nine league games.

However, two fine stoppage-time saves from Brain ensured the Dabbers claimed all three points.

Nantwich: Brain; Cole, Bailey, Raglan (c), Dicker; Hughes, Maguire; Guest (Devenney 88), Hudson (Zack Foster 85), Clayton; Bentham (Lane 67). Subs: Ringstead, Jones.

(Pictures courtesy of Matt Eagles)