Anderson, who netted the winner in the corresponding fixture last season, fired home 13 minutes into the contest at the Sir Tom Robinson Stadium.

And in a match lacking chances at both ends, Nathan Haslam's side were unable to get themselves level as Rangers held on for a vital three points in their battle against relegation from the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Nathan Thomas ought to have given Whitby the lead early on as he did the hard work in lifting the ball over the on-rushing Cameron Belford, only to be denied by the post.

And while it was Haslam's men who looked liveliest in the opening exchanges, Dave Cooke's side grew into the contest as they began to see more of the ball. Stafford broke before the ball founds its way to Sean Cooke who struck over the crossbar from a difficult angle.

But on the 13th minute point in the first period, that Thomas miss began to look costly. Coleby Shepherd brought the ball out from the back but with the ball bobbling on a difficult pitch, he lost control of possession which allowed Stafford to exploit the defensive gap left and Anderson was able to find the net with a powerful effort which went in via the post.

There was a presentable chance for Town to level the match a minute before the break. Junior Mondal took aim from six yards and could have registered an equaliser for his side, but the ball was hit straight into the hands of Belford, perhaps grateful that it wasn't placed to either side of him where he might have struggled to react.

Whitby added a different dimension to their attack in the 63rd minute, introducing Bradley Fewster from the bench in place of Max Howells.

But shortly after that switch, Stafford came back for more as they sought another goal. Cooke tried his luck from distance but Shane Bland prevented Haslam's side from falling further behind.

Cooke had another sight of goal ten minutes after that but couldn't hit the target with a free-kick from around 25-yards out, and then Stafford's goal scorer Anderson arrowed a shot wide on the turn just before the board went up for seven added minutes.

Second half stoppage time brought about a huge chance for the Seasiders as Haslam's men pushed for an equaliser late on. Substitute Aaron Haswell got away down the left wing and played an excellent ball across the face of goal. Despite Fewster being at full stretch, he was just unable to prod the ball home.

That summed up a disappointing afternoon for Whitby and their travelling supporters.