by Peter Scherer

Mickleover are back on the road again for the second successive week, as they head to Ashton Utd on Saturday.

Our hosts are also struggling this season and are currently level on points with Sports, but lie 18^th due to superior goal difference and also have four games in hand.

When Ashton visited the Don Amott Arena earlier this season, Mickleover were 2-0 winners and they have also lost two of their seven NPL home games.

They have only played one league match in December, going down 0-2 at Buxton.

First choice goalkeeper is the vastly experienced Greg Hartley. He progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup, while playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time at City. 

He spent ten years at City before moving to the US where he plied his trade at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga. Following a seven-year stint in the US, he moved back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the academy and as a goalkeeping coach. 

During his coaching Hartley also played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg for the first time.

Australian born defender Stavros Tserpes joined Ashton during the 2019/20 season from Droylsden, but has also spent time at Altrincham, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Clitheroe.

Defender Harry Spratt was a pre-season signing from York City. He was a Manchester Utd junior and then moved onto Huddersfield, before joining York and was also on loan at Scarborough last season.

Also in defence is player coach Michael Raynes. He joined Ashton United in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United. As a journeyman of professional football Michael came to Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as talent.  He played almost 500 league matches at Stockport, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Oxford, Carlisle and Crewe before joining Hartlepool. Standing at 6”4 Michael is the monster amongst the Robin’s back line.

Centre back Harry Coates was another new signing for this season, having arrived from Scarborough. He started his career at York City, before moving on to Harrogate, Tadcaster, and Bradford PA.

Michael Brewster is a midfielder in his third season at the club. After leaving Oldham as a junior, he moved on via FC United, St Mirren, Colwyn, Skelmersdale, Southport, Shaw Lane, Marine and Droylsden, before coming to Ashton from Atherton Collieries. 

Ben Hardcastle is a striker who made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks before signing for Ashton manager Michael Clegg at Pennington, then following him to Atherton LR before signing for Atherton Collieries

He played over 250 games for Atherton and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in their promotion winning season from Division One West. He was the first player manager Clegg, signed after taking over at Ashton.

Striker Tom Bentham was one of the scorers in their win over Matlock on the opening day of the season. He was a summer 2020 signing, rejoining manager Clegg having tasted success with him at Atherton Collieries. He’s a strong centre forward, having also played at Hyde and Stalybridge.

Liam Thomsett is one of the longest serving players, having signed for Ashton in 2017. An ex Blackpool youth player, he made one first team start in the FA Cup, before moving on to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Hyde on loan.  After a year at Fylde, he was at Curzon Ashton for another two, before his current spell at Ashton.

Harvey McAdam was a former Burnley junior, who joined the Ashton in February 2019 from Nelson FC. After his release from Burnley the young midfielder joined AFC Fylde’s under 18s before moving again to Northwich Victoria. 

Another new signing for this season is midfielder Tom Warren. He was an Everton junior until September 2019, from when he joined Warrington, prior to joining Ashton.

Experienced midfielder Sam Sheridan has been at Ashton since January 2018. He started out as a Bolton Wanders Junior, with a loan at Altrincham before joining Stockport County. A further loan at Southport, preceded spells at Barrow, Chorley, FC United and finally Altrincham again from where he joined our hosts.

Ivory Coast born striker Florian Yonsian came to Ashton last month and soon became a regular in the side. He was a Junior at both Rochdale and Salford City, before being loaned to Stafford and Marine. He then moved onto Trafford and spent last season with Stalybridge Celtic.

Osebi Abdaki is a Nigerian striker, with a vast amount of experience mainly in the North East. He was at Ashton in 2010 after spells at Altrincham and Stalybridge, but moved on again to Salford, Halifax, Nantwich (two spells), Ramsbottom, Buxton (two spells), Stafford, Hednesford, Matlock and Barwell, before arriving for his second Ashton spell in October from Stourbridge.

Midfielder Liam Loughlan is currently on a months loan from Salford City. He started at Leicester City, having also had a spell at Farsley Celtic.  

Veteran centre back Nicky Hunt was signed in July this year, from Darlington. He was a Bolton junior player, loaned to Birmingham and Derby, before joining Bristol City on his release in 2011. Spells at Preston, Rotherham, Accrington, Mansfield, Orient, Notts County and Crewe preceded his move to Darlington in July last year, with 500 league appearances under his belt.

He is also the first team coach and an ex England Under 21 International.

Oliver Martin is currently second choice keeper, signed from Ramsbottom in September. From Fleetwood’s Academy originally, he has also played for Stalybridge, Ange IF in Sweden, New Mills, Mossley and Radcliffe.

Defender Will Hall is on loan from Altrincham. The former Salford City Junior has also been loaned out to Whitchurch and Ramsbottom.

Andreas Bianga is a midfielder who started out as a Burnley Junior. He has also played for Droylsden and Curzon Ashton.

Parabou Jenkins is a start of the clubs youth team and who has only recently graduated to the first team squad.

Young defender Scott Holding is anther loanee, from Stockport County.

Sam Baird came to Ashton in summer 2020, he’s previously played at Trafford and FC United.

Kick off at Hurst Cross is at 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

There were hopes of maybe a point from the visit to Whitby Town, but second half goals from James Butler and Rhys Dolan, plus a penalty save from Arlo Doherty , weren’t enough to outdo the home sides four goals.

Starting line-up 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Josh Scott 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Ethan Mann, Roger Lee, Pablo Mills, Stuart Beavon, Dempsey Arlott-John.

The hosts went close after just one minute when Macdonald fired over the bar from a free kick.

Six minutes later Hazel and Fewster then combined, before the latter’s final shot was easily held by Doherty. 

Agustien was trying to lead by example, when after 11 mins he cleared up another Whitby attack, before leading a Mickleover break.

But it was the hosts making all the running and Butler had to clear away more danger when Shepherd broke through after 13 mins.

Despite the sustained pressure, Milner was trying to push forward for Mickleover. Walters, Agustien and Scott combined before passing to Radcliffe. But the promising move broke down when Radcliffe’s pass was behind the advancing Dolan.

But it all went wrong after 19 mins, when an initial clearance was picked up by Gell, before Fewster swivelled and smashed the ball home from 20 yards, 0-1.

Unlike last weeks game, Sports midfield tried to stay composed and fight back, as Agustien played the ball out again to Radcliffe, but it ended up as a throw.

Hazel then intercepted and fired over, as Whitby continued to threaten.

24 mins in and Hazel tried another long distance well off target, before Fewster broke through to earn a corner.

There was another blow for Mickleover when Dales went down. He was only able to play on for another five minutes, before being replaced by Lee.

Hazel continued his random long range and fortunately off target long shots, before a slight chance for Sports came after 34 mins, when Walters found Radcliffe, whose chip was easily caught by Bland, skipper for the day to mark his 300^th club appearance.

Milner tried his luck with a chip too, but failed to trouble Bland again, only for Whitby to earn another free kick only a minute later.

Hazel’s kick from25 yards was straight through the defence, with Doherty well beaten, so 0-2 after 39 mins.

With just four minutes left in the first half, Agustien was fouled and took the free kick himself, Burn was booked, but it came to nought.

It was very nearly another goal for the hosts however, when Fewster latched onto a corner from Hackett. Doherty was at full stretch and finger tipped it onto the bar, before Agustien headed it away and Milner finally cleared the danger.

There no immediate Mickleover changes for the second half, but Agustien tried a long shot after 52 mins, which almost caught Bland off guard, and was Mickleover’s best attempt of the game.

But as the completion of the hour approached, Whitby had a corner. The ball came off a defender’s back and while Hawkins tried to set up his own shot, Burn fired it home for 0-3.

There was a double substation as Davidson-Miller and Scott came off after making little impression, to be replaced by Beavon and Arlott-John.

Beavon soon let go with a shot, but Bland had it covered, before Fergus earned a dubious penalty for Whitby, having taken to ground very easily.

Hazel stepped up to take the kick, but diving low to his left Doherty made an excellent save.

Mickleover began to press forward and after 68 mins Agustien found Dolan, but his ball into the box was comfortably claimed by Bland again.

Both Radcliffe and Beavon were in the refs book before Mickleover pulled one back, when Butler rose to head home a corner in the 74^th minute, 1-3.

Walters then fired a shot in, saved by Bland, before he was on another run a few minutes later, finding Dolan on the overlap.

Agustien and Radcliffe combined, but the threat though brief was soon dealt with. But Arlott-John had a promising shot in the 79^th minute, but Bland managed to block it.

Hazel then picked up on another Whitby break, but his shot was nearer the corner flag than the goal. He soon made amends after Hawkins beat two defenders, before finding him again to make it 1-4.

It was into injury time that Mickleover managed a second goal too, after Dolan’s free kick managed to creep inside Bland’s near post to make the final score 2-4. 

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover are off to the seaside to try and seek their second away win of the season at Whitby Town.

The hosts were without a game last Saturday, as their trip to FC United was postponed.

Currently sixth in the NPL with three games in hand over Mickleover, they have won 10 of their 19 matches in the NPL, but have also suffered three home defeats.

In their last game they went down 0-1 to Nantwich in the FA Trophy, while in the NPL they had a 1-1 draw at Basford. 

Some of the Whitby squad are in their second spell with the club, including goalkeeper Shane Bland. The former Middlesbrough and Spennymoor player rejoined from West Auckland in July 2019.

Defender Jassem Sukar has been at the club since April 2018. He started as a Sunderland junior and then went to Scotland with Dundee United. He was loaned out to Peterhead, Brechin City and Arbroath, before joining York City on his release in 2017, prior to arriving at Whitby.

Captain Dan Rowe is a midfielder or defender, who came from the Rotherham Academy. After a loan at Stalybridge he then joined Wycombe Wanderers and played 47 games for the league Two side, but went out on loan again to Barrow. He was at York City and Frickley before signing for Whitby in July 2019.

Right back Nathan Dyer is a more recent arrival having come from Grantham this summer, having previously come through York City’s youth scheme.

Lewis Hawkins is a midfielder who has spent all of his career in the North East. He started out at Hartlepool and was loaned to Whitby, Spennymoor, York City, before a permanent move to Blyth Spartans in August 2019. He’s been at Whitby since August last year.

Centre back Jameed Ible was a Stockport County junior, before joining Salford City. He has had spells at York, Guiseley, Frickley, Scarborough and Pontefract, before arriving at Whitby in July last year. He is also a full International with St Kitts & Nevis.

Josh Macdonald is currently on loan from Hartlepool. The young midfielder started out at Marske Utd, before moving to Halifax Town. He is on a season long loan.

Former Sunderland graduate Jake Hackett was signed pre-season and plays central midfield.

Winger Jacob Hazel is a product of Chesterfield’s youth scheme. He had loans at Matlock, Workington, Sprint Jelay in Norway and Buxton, before signing for FC United and Ashton in 2014. He spent 10 months at Mickleover in 2015 and has since played for Frickley, Gainsborough, Farsley and Scarborough, joining Whitby in summer 2020 from Frickley.

Striker Bradley Fewster spent his early career at Middlesbrough and had loans at Preston, York and Hartlepool before his release in 2017. He then played for Spennymoor and Blyth, before joining Whitby in February2019.

Harry Green is another loanee, who plays left wing or midfield. He has been on Middleborough’s books since joining the under 10’s Academy.

Midfielder Coleby Shepherd is a midfielder and was signed in July last year, after being released from Hartlepool.

Marcus Giles is a young striker that came from Whitley Bay in June last year. He has also played for Ashington and Morpeth.

Centre back Jonathan Burn was a Middlesbrough Academy player, who had loans at Oldham and Kilmarnock before joining Bristol Rovers in 2017. A further loan at York preceded a move to Darlington, but came to Whitby from Whickham in July 2020.

Nick Cranston is the second choice goalkeeper who has only recently arrived from Darlington. 

Both Soni Fergus and Priestley Griffiths were pre-season signings. Right back Fergus came from Pickering Town and had previously been at the Newcastle Utd Academy, Garforth, Guisborough and Harrogate Town.

Griffiths is a midfielder who started at Middlesbrough, moving on via Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Marske and Blyth Spartans, plus a brief spell in Iceland.

Midfielder Adam Gell was originally signed from Guisborough in 2015. But having left to join Shildon, he returned in August 2018.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed former Barnsley full back Rhys Dolan.

Playing either attacking midfield or left back, Dolan made his name as part of the successful Ilkeston Town Under 18 squad, that had a run in the FA Youth Cup.

He was picked up by Barnsley in 2015, but since his release he has played at Long Eaton, Selston, Newark, Belper Town and Alfreton, and started this season at Anstey Nomads.

After playing in the reserves last week, he made his first team debut as a second half sub in the home draw against Grantham.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into their home game against Grantham Town in a must win situation, but after dominating the play, it was only two late goals that salvaged a draw after Grantham led 0-2.

Starting line-up: 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-Jordie Gough 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Josh Scott 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Roger Lee, Pablo Mills, Dexter Walters, Rhys Dolan.

Mickleover started with strength and commitment, with Arlott-John firing the first shot of the game just wide after two minutes.

Grantham managed a retaliatory attack but failed to get a shot in, before Butler had another shot just wide of the left hand post after good work from Arlott-John.

But another run from the Sports striker was thwarted on the halfway line, giving Grantham a chance, before Smith missed the ball and it rolled out of play.

Both Radcliffe and Gough were pushing forward on the wings, with Milner’s runs as Mickleover sought the opening goal.

After 14 minutes Dales twisted and turned on the right to fire in a cross, with Scott connecting but shooting just wide again after a deflection.

Arlott-John and Beavon battled hard in the box but couldn’t get a clear shot in, before Dales was taken down on the edge of the box after 16 minutes.

Dales recovered to take the free kick, bringing out a spectacular diving save from Grantham keeper James Pollard, earning another corner.

Grantham had a slight foray at the Mickleover end, but Butler headed clear and the Sports attack was on again.

The chances continued to flow for Mickleover, as Radcliffe dropped a teasing cross into the box after 21 minutes, with Gough’s header just wide, but the wing back had taken a knock to his head.

Only a minute later Dales had a long run intercepted, before Beavon’s shot hit the post. 

Beavon tried a chip from outside the box, saved by Pollard, before Grantham managed to take the lead against the run of play.

It started with a cross, which Doherty came out for but failed to collect. Miller put in a header just over, before sustained Grantham pressure saw Doherty make a partial save, before the ball was cleared off the line, only to fall at Smith’s feet who hit a powerful shot for 0-1 after 31 minutes.

Mickleover continued to try and push forward, but the midfield suddenly seem to collapse and left the defence looking very vulnerable.

Only three minutes after the opening goal, Gough was beaten on the left but the shot went high and wide.

The frustration was showing in attack as despite the dominance of play, Mickleover couldn’t find the net.

Arlott-John tried his luck again from outside the box, firing just wide to the right, but there was much worse to come.

Gough was beaten again and this time the low cross into the box, found Clark, who comfortably made it 0-2 as the first half came to a massively disappointing end.

Only minutes into the second half Milner had a shot just wide again, before Radcliffe’s cross found Dales unmarked, but his free header went over the bar.

The possession was still in Mickleover’s favour, with no real impact, but the capitulation of the midfield from the first half, had fortunately not re-occurred.

Dolan had come for his first team debut to replace Gough and Dales managed to put in a nice cross, but no one was in the box to receive it.

Two more substitutions followed just after the hour with Walters and Mills on for Arlott-John and Scott.

Dales then tried a long range shot which was over the bar and after 71 minutes he was on another run when he was hacked down on the left.

Walters free kick was well saved by Pollard, as the constant rain and wind intensified too.

Milner received a yellow car after pulling back a Grantham attack and despite the increasing push forward, there was still no sign of a goal for Mickleover.

Pollard’s confidence in the Grantham goal even saw him run well out of his area like an extra defender to thwart an attack. But with 10 minutes left on the clock his confidence was soon to be tested.

Walters fed in a tight corner after 81 minutes which the keeper managed to punch away, only for the visitors to make a break, before it was cleared following a scramble in the box.

Having impressed on his debut, Radcliffe was placed just right to volley between Pollard’s legs to make it 1-2 after 87 minutes, but there was more to come.

Straight from the kick off the next attack was on. It was headed away as the Grantham defence floundered and Milner found the ball at his feet and made no mistake in making it 2-2.

Grantham still scented a win, but the final attack of the game was comfortably cleared by Mickleover skipper Watt and it remained 2-2.

by Peter Scherer

Over the last two aborted seasons Grantham Town have been under the threat of relegation and are currently bottom of the NPL.

They have only taken two points at home, ironically one was from our visit earlier this season, but have had three away victories.

With turmoil both on and off the pitch, they have had a rapid turnover of players and have only recently announced Dennis Greene as their new manager. He has previously managed Telford and also ran Charlton Athletic’s Academy.

Goalkeeper Jim Pollard came to Grantham in July 2020 from Maltby, having previously had a season at Barrow.

James Williamson is an experienced defender and the club captain, who lists Tadcaster, Matlock and North Ferriby among his previous clubs.

Defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather is on loan from Burton Albion, he’s an ex Nottingham Forest youth player too.

Henry Eze came to the club at the beginning of the season. The centre back has played at Rushall Olympic, Romulus, Kings Lynn, Kettering, Solihull Borough, Quorn, Barwell and Stamford before arriving at Grantham.

Midfielder Finley Shrimpton is on loan from Scunthorpe until January, he has previously been loaned to Frickley Athletic too.

Ali Aydemir is primarily a winger, a long serving player who was previously at East Hull and Goole.

Midfielder Harvey Grice is on loan from Alfreton Town. The ex Nottingham Forest Academy player has come through Alfreton’s own youth scheme.

Ex Mickleover player striker Nathan Modest started his career at Sheffield Wednesday, making four first team appearances. 

After six years with the Owls and a loan at Darlington, he joined Sheffield FC. He moved on to Worksop, Rainworth MW, Lincoln Utd, Gloucester, Hednesford, Telford, Evesham and Goole before Bridlington Town preceded his move to Mickleover in 2019. 

He then moved to Barton Town and finally Pontefract, before coming to Grantham this summer.

Central midfielder Shane Clarke came at the beginning of the season from Spalding Utd. A former Lincoln City Academy player, he was briefly at Gateshead following his release, before his first spell at Boston Utd.

He then moved on to Gainsborough, Worksop and Tamworth, before returning to Boston in 2016. A second stay at Gainsborough preceded his move to Spalding in August 2020.

Another of this seasons signings is Jake Wright, a young midfielder who has arrived from Ilkeston, having previously played for Quorn.

Lee Shaw came at the start of the season too from Alfreton. The striker was previously at Grantham in 2018, before moving to Chesterfield. A loan at Guiseley preceded his move to Alfreton just over a year ago.

Michael Williams is a central midfielder, who came to Grantham from Alfreton. He was at Ilkeston for five years, before moving on to Matlock Town, Gainsborough and Sheffield FC.

Joe Parkin is another young midfielder stepping up from Handsworth Paramore, while Sisa Tuntulwana has also been a regular squad member this season.

Jonathan Wafula is a striking midfielder signed in September. He started off at Chesterfield, and has played at Worksop, Shaw Lane, Gainsborough, Boston Utd and Guiseley, before joining Matlock Town for the start of this season.

Striker Gregg Smith is another new arrival on loan from Spalding Utd. He has played for Grantham on two previous occasions, as well as Corby, Kings Lynn, Stamford, Boston Utd, Stamford, Tamworth and Gainsborough.

AJ Adelekan is a defender who started out at Redbridge. He is in his second spell at Grantham, and has played at Walthamstow, Stamford, Rushall Olympic and Alfreton.

Rod Orlando-Young is an attacking midfielder who has travelled widely since he started out as a Norwich City junior. Bishop Stortford, Welling Utd, Grays, Ware, Sheffield FC, Newcastle Town, Ilkeston, Buxton and Gainsborough are all on his list of past clubs, before coming to Grantham from Radcliffe last month.

Josh Render is a young goalkeeper currently on loan from Sheffield Wednesday for a month and similarly Thomas Hoyle is also on loan from Fleetwood Town’s Junior’s and former West Bromwich Albion junior’s defender Ryan Grant, on loan from Blackpool,

Winger or midfielder Ify Ofoegbu was signed last month too from Worksop. He started as a Huddersfield junior, before moving onto Chesterfield and Tadcaster.

The final two new signings are Jeremie Bellune and Mathieu Racine, both yet to make their debuts, following the postponement of last Saturdays game at Scarborough.

Bellune is a defensive midfielder, coming to the UK for the first time. He played in France for Chamois Niort, before moving to FC Schengen in Luxembourg.  He then returned to France with Stade Bordelais in July 2020 and is also capped at under 20 level by Martinique.

Racine is also from Martinique and started playing with Lamentin FC. He played US Rungis in France and has been in the UK since 2019 with Haringey Borough.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s hopes of escaping the danger zone in the NPL were dashed with a 2-0 defeat at FC United.

Sports made three changes from the winning side against Atherton, with Arlo Doherty debuting in goal, Pablo Mills in for Phil Watt and Andy Dales back in for Joe Bateman.

Starting line-up: 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-James Butler 15-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Dempsey Arlott-John 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Roger Lee, Ben Radcliffe, Phil Watt, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Milner.

It was blue sky but a biting wind as Mickleover took the kick off. 

It started fairly positively for Mickleover, with a corner taken by Agustien after only three minutes. Warren was able to get a shot in, but it was straight into keeper Lavercombe’s hands.

The hosts came straight back with a left foot shot from Hayes, which was blocked by Mills.

Warren was then almost on the end of a good through ball, before a tackle and another corner, with Walters and Beavon being unmarked in the box.

Gough started to push forward down the left, but back in defence Dales cut out a dangerous ball after a long FC United build up, ending with a corner.

As the corner came in it was too long for Ennis to connect on the far post.

But after nine minutes Waddecar almost gave the hosts the lead, after Linney put the ball through for the striker to hit the post with Doherty beaten.

Hayes was then fouled, before an Ennis cross gave Baker a header, deflected out by the Mickleover defence for another corner.

The pressure was building from the FC United attack, but Walters got a break after 14 minutes, but his shot was weak.

Beavon then forced his way through the defence, found Walters whose progress was thwarted by Smith’s tackle.

There was another half chance for Beavon after 16 minutes, but Baker intercepted.

Three minutes later Agustien placed a perfect ball at Arlott-John’s feet but was deemed to be just offside, before Linney responded for the hosts, with an effort well saved by Doherty.

FC were ahead on chances but the Mickleover defence held firm. Holmes put a telling cross into the box to find Waddecar, but his 21^st minute effort failed to trouble Doherty.

Only a minute later Waddecar’s left foot shot was just over after another Holmes cross.

Dales then managed to connect with an Agustien corner after 24 minutes, but his shot was wide.

Hayes found himself in a good position, but held on to long and was tackled, while Linney did connect with an effort nearer the back of the stand than the back of the net.

Mills tried his luck with a long shot, but Lavercombe had it covered despite it dipping in the strong wind.

Sports were lucky to hold on when there was confusion in the defence. A poor clearance from Doherty was intercepted by Holmes and Waddecar’s final shot was again just over.

Mickleover’s attacks were on the decline and were too regularly caught offside, but pressure was building from the hosts.

Butler came up for a 40^th minute corner but his effort was cleared by Lavercombe, but then Mickleover had their best chance of the match. Mills had cleared the danger from an FC attack and sent Arlott-John one on one with the keeper. 

Lavercombe was at full stretch to keep out the strikers shot and it remained 0-0.

After Hayes had another shot well over the bar, it looked as if the sides would be going in level at half time, until Doherty mishandled the ball after a free kick from Holmes in the final seconds. Morris managed to poke the ball home and the whistle went 0-1.

The second half started with a corner for the hosts, but Warren then put in a nice cross into the box, but it beat everyone.

Doherty then had to come to the rescue after a Mills miskick had almost let Hayes in after 50 minutes.

But Mickleover were pressing for the equaliser, just after Arlott-John had a shot just wide, Beavon was close to collecting a Bennett cross but was ruled offside.

Arlott-John’s pace continued to keep the FC defence on its toes, and he sent Dales on a run after 53 minutes, until a strong tackle stopped him.

But Doherty looked vulnerable again a minute later when Waddecar shot and the young keeper saved initially, before dropping the ball again, but this time he recovered.

There were problems for the hosts keeper too, when he came to collect a long ball and flattened Arlott-John. He received a yellow card, but it could have been a red.

Walters and Arlott-John kept the attacks going and Butler had another shot over the bar in the 59^th minute from a Warren free kick.

As the home supporters looked for a second goal to seal the win, Mickleover continued to push forward, with another run from Arlott-John putting Walters through until Lavercombe collected.

Hayes’ 67^th minute shot was then deflected by Mills and cleared and Linney managed to get a shot in, but the angle was too tight.

After long and cautious build up Warren had another shot just off target, but Arlott-John was in space and unmarked.

Mickleover made their for change when Milner came on for Walters, before Sports went close with an Agustien free kick, after Dales and Bennett had combined, before Bennett was felled.

Warren shot again with the unmarked Arlott-John unseen and from the resultant corner, Butler’s header lacked power.

FC sub Duckworth forced Doherty into another save, but time was running out and after 80 minutes it was effectively all over, after Waddecar collected on the volley and Hayes hit home number two for FC, 0-2.

Davidson came on for Arlott-John for the last few minutes and in injury time Warren was red carded for a high tackle.

It was hard fought game and Mickleover held their own for much of it, but they still had to return home pointless and heading desperately close to the wrong end of the table.