NANTWICH Town’s struggle for Evo-Stik Premier League survival suffered a double blow this week as they fell at home to fellow relegation candidates Hucknall on Saturday, then to league leaders Halifax Town 3-1 on Tuesday.

The double loss leaves Dabbers just two points from the drop zone having played at least one game more than several of the teams around them, meaning boss Jimmy Quinn will have his work cut out to keep them in the Premier League this season.

It means Saturday's match against fellow relegation battlers Whitby Town is a must-win match for Nantwich, kick off 3pm.

Against Hucknall, a Tyeisse Nightingale brace was enough to provide the visitors with three vital points as they move to with a single point of 17th placed Dabbers, with opportunites to ensure safety quickly running out.

Jimmy Quinn's side welcomed new goalkeeper Daniel Platt into the side, having arrived from Telford United 24 hours earlier, who enjoyed a less than auspicious start after conceding his first goal just 13 minutes into his debut.

Hucknall's Griffith-Junior slid a precise pass into the path of striker Nightingale and he placed the ball underneath the new goalkeeper to give the visitors the deserved lead.

Dabbers had to wait until 16 minutes to earn their first chance, when Rodney Jack's effort from outside the area went wide of the target, while Michael Lennon also came close to restoring parity for the hosts soon after.

Nantwich looked to be heading into the break behind, but a Jake Sedgemore cross on the stroke of half time allowed Charlie Reeves to head home to give the home side a much-needed boost.

But Nightingale pounced on a Platt rebound to restore his side's lead in the 55th minute.

Efforts from Glynn Blackhurst, Lennon and Jack gave Dabbers hope as they battled to find the second equaliser, but the Hucknall keeper was equal to them as Nantwich missed a crucial chance to put themselves further from danger in the battle for Premier League survival.