THATTO Heath Crusaders got their National Conference League Division One promotion bid back on track with a hard-fought 20-10 win over Milford Marlins at Hattons Solicitors Crusader Park.

Thatto eased into a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from Danny Wakefield and Dave Sutton, both of which were converted by Shaun Quinn.

The visitors hit back through Tom Barnes’ score, goaled by Marlins’ Man Of The Match Zak Snellgrove to cut the arrears to 12-6.

But it was the home side that went into the break in the ascendency as Aaron Dancer went over for Crusaders to give his side a 16-6 half-time advantage.

A nervy second half saw Milford close to within six points once again as Josh Parce’s try was converted by Snellgrove to make it 16-10.

Yet it was as close as they would get, as Sean Leicester’s late score rounded off the scoring and gave Thatto a fifth win from seven league games this term.

It’s a result which lifts Thatto to fourth in the table, two points behind leaders Oulton Raiders with a game in hand.

Adam Prendergast was the Crusaders’ Man Of The Match, which was sponsored by Tabern Property Consultants.