by Peter Scherer

On a wet fairly miserable night, there was no shortage of action as Mickleover hosted Bamber Bridge in the NPL. But it was to end in disappointment, when the visitors scored the decisive goal with only three minutes to go.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy dales 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Lee Holmes. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Alex Morris, Roger Lee, Andrew Wright, Bobby Battisson.

The visitors were straight into attack, with Watt having to clear the danger in the opening minutes, before a further cross into the box after five minutes came to nought.

As Sports started to settle they began to attack more too, with Holmes forcing a save from Keeper Hewelt, from the narrowest of angles on the right.

After Bamber had a shot over the bar following a ninth minute corner, Dales got clear on the left and put in a cross to Ravenhill on the right but his shot was easily collected.

It was back to defence though almost immediately, when Hawkins pushed a way a powerful shot from outside the box.

Breaks for both teams continued to provide the end to end action, as the rain continued to fall. But after 19 minutes Bamber were through again, but despite finding space, the finish was both high and wide.

A short corner from Warren two minutes later found Holmes, whose shot was blocked, but Bamber broke clear yet again putting the ball across the face of the Mickleover goal with no one on the receiving end.

Dales had another good try 23 minutes in, when Beavon found him on the left, he twisted and turned before shooting just wide. Holmes was almost through a couple of minutes later after a good build up.

Butler and Watt were coping with the Bamber barrage, which continued mainly on the break, but neither Bennett nor Lewin were finding the opportunities to overlap.

While Warren and Ravenhill were feeding the ball through, both Holmes and Dales fond their space on the wings restricted, leaving Bacon and Beavon isolated up front.

Ravenhill had another shot on target after 31 minutes, picking up the ball after Bacon held it in the box, but was unable to turn.

Hawkins had to be on his guard when Bamber tried a cheeky back heeler after a cross from the right, but the Mickleover keeper had it covered. Holmes then brokeway to find Ravenhill again, whose shot was put out for a corner.

There was a hold up when Watt had cleared the danger, but received a cut to his head. When play restarted there was just five minutes left of a very even first half.

Just before the whistle Warren broke down the left, picking up Dales and his shot from a tight angle was just wide again.

Bamber weren’t finished either as Hawkins had to save a powerful long shot with his feet to keep it 0-0.

Both Beavon and Lewin had been yellow carded in the first half and as they re-appeared for the second, Morris was on for Lewin.

 

It was a positive start to the second half for Mickleover, with Dales almost able to deliver in the first minute after Bacon held the ball well in the box.  Skipper Warren then put in a deep cross towards goal from the right. It had the keeper beaten, but came back off the far post.

After the initial threat for the visitors they were back threatening too, going close after 50 minutes, before missing one of the best chances of the game. Unchallenged on the by line, the cross went across the face of the Mickleover goal, missing everyone.

Bennett finally managed to make a break and got right through the defence before his shot was blocked, but then after 55 minutes Dales smashed a shot against the underneath of the bar. It appeared to have moved the netting and as it bounced out Butler put it in the back of the net. 

It looked like the opening goal, but the referee had given offside against the Butler goal and failed to acknowledge Dales’ attempt.

With Battisson on for Ravenhill, Mickleover started to build the pressure on the visitors for a while. 65 minutes and Bacon had an excellent chance, with the inviting goal beckoning only yards in front of him, but the shot was wide.

Holmes then cracked in a shot from outside the box, punched over by Hewelt for a corner. But then it was the visitors chance to take the lead again, only for their effort to go sky high over the bar.

Beavon had the keeper at full stretch after 71 mins and two minutes later he was on the receiving end of a good cross from Battisson, earning another corner. Wright then came on for Holmes but it was still 0-0, with both sides failing to put away the chances. 

Bennett then came charging through again, but was hacked down on the edge of the box, but no free kick given to Mickleover, but it was to the visitors strangely.

As the game looked to be heading for 0-0, Rob Apter broke the deadlock with a goal for the visitors, after the defence failed the clear their lines, from what barely looked a threat initially.

With only three minutes to try and salvage a point, the downtrodden Sports team pushed everything forward. There were a couple of corners and goal mouth scrambles, but unlike our visitors, luck had deserted us and it remained 0-1.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC welcome fifth in the NPL table Bamber Bridge to the Don Amott Arena tomorrow night.

Our visitors recovered from a 3-0 defeat at Buxton on the opening day of the season, taking four successive wins, before drawing with Warrington at the end of August.

Since their fifth win at Scarborough on September 11^th, they have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Runcorn and lost top FC United and last Saturday went down 4-2 at Matlock.

Their current first choice goalkeeper is Mateusz Hewelt. He came through the Everton junior sides before being released in 2019. After a couple of years back in his native Poland with Miedz Legnica, he is a recent signing by manager Jamie Milligan.

Matty Flynn is the club captain having signed from Curzon Ashton last October. A central defender who started out at Warrington, before joining Macclesfield for a couple of seasons. Most of his career has been in the North West, with Ashton, Rochdale, Fleetwood, Altrincham, Barrow, Southport, Hyde and Chorley.

Right back Cameron Gourley has played for AFC Blackpool, Squires Gate and Longridge Town before he joined the Bamber Bridge squad.

Harvey Gregson is a central midfielder. A recent signing who made his name with AFC Fylde.

Former Blackpool junior left back Luke Higham made one first team appearance for the Seasiders. He had loans at Nuneaton and Telford before his release, after which he was at Fleetwood, with a further loan at FC United. He came to Bamber Bridge October last year from Lancaster.

 Rob Apter and Ewan Bange are both Blackpool Junior’s  on loan, each with one first team appearance for the Seasiders under their belt. Midfielder Apter is in his second season at Bamber,wheras striker Bange came in July this year.

Midfielder Craig Carney is another new signing, having recently arrived from Matlock. He started out at Lancaster, and has journeyed via Stockport, Marine, FC United and Warrington.

Irish born winger Mark Yeates has a wealth of experience behind him, since starting out at Tottenham Hotspur in 2002.

Four first team games for Spurs and loans at Brighton, Swindon, Colchester, Hull and Leicester, preceded his release in 2007 and a permanent move to Championship/League One Colchester, scoring 21 goals in 81 games.

He played in the Championship with Middlesbrough, Sheffield Utd and Watford, before moving to Bradford City, Oldham, Blackpool and Notts County, finally going non league with Eastleigh in 2017, after 500 senior appearances and over 50 goals. He came to Bamber from Fylde a year ago.

Left midfielder Isaac Sinclair is the son of well know ex Pro Trevor. He joined Bamber from Curzon Ashton last September, and has also played for AFC Blackpool, Squires Gate and Longridge.

Midfielder Dylan Boyle is another loanee from Fleetwood Town. He was on the bench for some of the Fleetwood pre-season games and has joined Bamber for one month.

Danny Forbes has been at Bamber since 2017, when the midfielder arrived from Kendal Town. He served his apprenticeship at Preston North End.

Winger Finley Sinclair-Smith is another Blackpool graduate. He had loan spells at Marine and Widnes before his release, moving on to Longridge Town. After almost two years at FC United, he has just signed for Bamber.

Matthew Dudley is a striker signed from Kendal Town in June 2017, having previously been at Fylde.

Right back Macauley Wilson was a junior at both Manchester Utd and Blackpool. He was first loaned to Bamber in 2016 and also to Fylde, until his release Jun 2017, when he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player. He has also captained the side.

Sheldon Green is a striker who has alternated between Bamber and Fylde over the last few seasons. But in August he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player.

Mickleover will hopefully be nearer full strength as player start to regain fitness from the early season traumas.

Kick off is 7.45 THEY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Karl Brooks Photography)

Mickleover travelled to Witton Albion with high hopes of taking a first away of the season, having so far only secured one point from Grantham from their games on the road.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Roger Lee 3-Alex Morris 4-Liam Ravenhill 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9- Lee Holmes 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Man, Ben Lewin, Dec Bacon, Andrew Wright.

The first half of the game was virtually a stalemate, with neither side managing to create any real chances, leaving keepers Hawkins and Greg Hall semi-redundant.

Witton had lost every home game this season and their only victory came at Morpeth, the only team below them in the league.

Having held things at 0-0 in the first half, Witton began to grow in confidence, but it was the substitution of Tom Owens for Danny McKenna just before the hour mark that turned the game.

He had barely had time to warm up when he gave the hosts the lead 0-1.

Mickleover stuck with their 11 starters until the 71^st minute, but having failed threaten the Witton goal, Bacon came on for Holmes.

The equalising goal still proved elusive and Sports brought Wright on for Battisson, but time ran out and it was a fourth away defeat which drops them 15^th in the table.

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on the road again this Saturday for Mickleover FC, when they visit next to bottom Witton Albion.

It’s been a disastrous start for Witton who have so far lost all three of their home games against Lancaster City, South Shields and Nantwich, leaving them next to bottom in the NPL.

They have one win under their belt away at Morpeth and also came away from Basford and Gainsborough with a point. Their last match was a 3-1 defeat at Atherton in the FA Cup, but in their last league match at Matlock, they were on the receiving end of a 9-0 hammering.

Goalkeeper Greg Hall is in his second spell at Witton, having re-signed in July after a couple of seasons at Nantwich. He came to Witton originally from Northwich in 2018 and has also played for Ashton, Ramsbottom and Glossop NE.

Second choice keeper Raj Gill is a former Leicester City Junior. After a spell at Kettering he played for Frederico Mayo in Spain and has had spells at Tamworth, Cirencester and Alvechurch, before arriving at Witton September last year.

Left back Isaac Baldwin joined from Farsley Celtic in October 2019, where he played since leaving Spennymoor two years earlier. He started out at Huddersfield and also played for Halifax, Brighouse and Ossett Albion.

Steve McNulty is a former Liverpool Junior, who played at Burscough, Vauxhall Motors, Barrow and Fleetwood, before joining Luton Town. He was with the Hatters that regained league status from the Conference to League Two in 2013/14. After 125 appearances at Luton he moved on to Tranmere Rovers and York City, before coming to Witton in August last year. 

Left back George Nugent progressed through Tranmere Rovers youth set up and was awarded a professional contract. He played in a couple of Rovers EFL Trophy matches as well as several times being on the first team bench.  He signed for Witton at the end of July and his brother Ollie is an England Paralympics international.

Nick Ryan is a centre back who joined Witton from Stalybridge in 2017. After multiple leg fractures in 2018, he missed a whole season, before going out to Runcorn Linnets to regain his fitness and a return to Witton.

Will Sutton is another central defender, currently on loan from Oldham Athletic. He made one first team appearance for Oldham last season. He scored against Lancaster in August.

Josh Wardle played his early football at Lancaster and Kendal, before joining Skelmersdale in 2017. He captained the John Moores University side and came to Witton on October 2017. He has also been club captain.

 Crewe Alexandra U18 & U23 defender Nathan Woodthorpe is on a month’s loan. He suffered an injury earlier this year and is looking to gain valuable match time in his quest for a first team debut. He scored for Witton in their 1-1 draw at Gainsborough on the opening day of the season.

Midfielder James Foley is one of Witton’s long serving players, having been signed from Marine in 2017. He started at AFC Liverpool before joining Macclesfield Town juniors. He moved on to Buckley Town and Camell Laird, before his three year spell at Marine. He is the Witton penalty taker and scored one of the goals in Witton’s 2-2 draw at Basford.

Jawad Jebrin is another attacking midfielder and former Warrington Town junior. He has also played for St Helens. He has one goal under his belt this season in their FA Cup win at Scarborough,

Callum Leigh was a summer signing by manager Carl McCauley from The New Saints in Welsh League. The midfielder played in both Rochdale and Oldham Academies. He also had loans at Oswestry and Ellesmere Rangers and is playing himself back in after a serious leg break.

Cesaire Lingoube played junior football at Morecambe and Stalybridge, before moving on to Droylsden and Northwich in 2017. The striker or midfielder had his first spell at Witton in October 2020 before joining Matlock Town. He returned to Witton last month.

Former Bolton Wanderers Junior midfielder Danny McKenna originally had a dual registration with Witton and Runcorn. The midfielder has been full time at Witton since September 2017.

Wing back or midfielder Tom Owens started out at Preston North End. He played at Marine and had a short spell at Witton before venturing overseas to the US and Australia. He came back to Witton in September 2017 from Brunswick City. He scored one of the goals in 2-2 draw at Basford too.

Josh Paterson is new to the first team squad, the midfielder having come through Witton’s own youth scheme.

Midfielder Ryan Rogers came from the Burnley Academy. He then went north of the border to Gretna, before joining Glossop last season. He is currently on loan from Macclesfield.

Billy Smart is another midfielder who played his youth football at Marine. He went to Burscough and Bootle before returning to Marine in 2016, then joined Warrington a year later. He came to Witton in summer 2018.

Striker James Hooper came through the ranks at Rochdale, making a couple of first team appearances. He had loans at FC United and Stockport before joining Carlisle Utd in League two. A return trip to FC United followed, plus stays at Radcliffe, Salford City, Chorley, West Didsbury & Chorlton and Altrincham. He has been at Witton since 2020 and is the joint top scorer this season, with two goals, against Lancaster and Scarborough.

Rob Hopley came through Macclesfield’s youth scheme. He moved on to Winsford, Leek Town and Colwyn Bay, becoming a prolific goal scorer. He scored the first goal for the newly formed Chester too, before coming to Witton in November 2015. He scored 85 goals in 177 games, but a serious injury kept him out for 2019/20. He scored the Witton goal in last weeks FA Cup defeat at Atherton.

Striker Will Jones came from Colwyn Bay in 2017, having spent most of his career in the North West with Bootle, South Sefton, AFC Liverpool, Burscough, Nantwich, Marine and Warrington. 

Callum Saunders is a recent signing from Nantwich. Son of Welsh International and former Rams star Dean, Callum is a Welsh under 19 and 21 international himself.  He came through the Crewe Academy and has played at Notts County and Curzon Ashton too. He scored both goals in their only win so far this season at Morpeth.

Striker Liam Thomas is an ex Derby junior, who also spent time at Shrewsbury before arriving at Witton in the summer.

by Peter Scherer

Two goals in the last eight minutes for Basford ended Mickleover hopes of further progress in this season’s FA Cup.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Alex Morris 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Lee Holmes, Andrew Wright, George Atwal, Mason Warren, Roger Lee.

Agustien won a corner for Mickleover in the opening minute, from which Butler headed just wide.

But play quickly turned from defence to attack for Basford with two quick attempts from Kane Richards, forcing Hawkins into his first save of the match.

Declan Dunn then fouled Beavon, but Agustien’s free kick was wide.

Seven minutes in however and it was 1-0, when Lewin was in just the right place to slot home his first senior goal.

Four minutes later Dales had a shot straight at Collin in the Basford goal, before Aaron O’Connor forced Butler to clear defensive lines after a quick break from the visitors.

Dales tried his luck again with a long range shot from a Beavon pass, well wide, before Basford skipper Matt Thornhill fired over the Mickleover bar in another quick response.

Richards tried a shot from a narrow angle, but it was easily dealt with by Hawkins, but after 25 minutes Beavon had a shot saved after picking up a loose back pass from Thornhill.

The end to end action continued however as O’Connor shot wide, followed by a similar attempt from Richards and another shot over the bar from Thornhill.

Mickleover had to call on an early sub though when Bateman was injured on the half hour and was replaced by Warren.

It was Basford on the attack though, with Thornhill and O’Connor combining before shooting wide, followed by a second volley  just wide from Thornhill  a couple of minutes later.

Bennett then had to make a decisive block, before Basford made it 1-1 after 41 minutes. A long ball from Brad Gascoigne found Rev James, who’s first shot was saved by Hawkins, but the rebound left him with an easy finish.

Just before half time there was another blow for Mickleover when Bennett went off injured to be replaced by Lee. Morris then had to make a goal line clearance in the closing seconds to keep it 1-1 at half time.

As the teams came out for the second half there had been another change, with new signing Holmes on for Battisson.

There was an early free kick for Mickleover when Dunn fouled Beavon, but after 53 minutes a break on the right left Beavon clear for a shot just wide of the post.

But Basford continued to threaten as both sought to take the lead again. Ryan Wilson fed Hawkridge who beat Agustien before Hawkins saved his chip shot.

Beavon received a yellow card for a foul on Richards and on the hour Butler had to make another clearance from an attempt by Betts.

Both sides were lacking that final ball and were being caught in possession, so overall it was till wide open.

But with eight minutes on the clock James and Marshall combined to find Richards, who was left one on one with Hawkins to make it 1-2.

Butler was then in the book too for an unnecessary push, as time was running out for Mickleover.

Into injury time James was on the receiving end of a quick break from Basford as Mickleover tried to push forward. 1-3 and it was game over and the end of the FA Cup hopes for another year.

by Peter Scherer

It’s time to take a break from NPL action as the FA Cup comes to the Don Amott Arena, with a second qualifying round tie against Steve Chettle’s Basford United.

A growing injury list and a slump in recent form will hopefully be overcome as Sports look to forward to the challenge of East Midlands rivalry.

Basford have just hit a run of form in the NPL which has moved them up to eighth place. Having drawn four games and lost two in their first six games, they have now racked up three successive wins, without conceding a goal, including a 1-0 home win over Lancaster.

They knocked out Stourbridge at home in the previous FA Cup round 1-0, so will be arriving at Mickleover brimming with confidence.

Basford have the experience of 36 year old Adam Collin between the posts. A former Newcastle junior, with nearly 400 league appearances under his belt, during his time with Carlisle, Rotherham, Aberdeen and Notts County. He came to Basford this season, after a year at Kettering.

Defender Owen Betts came in from Notts County last season, but had a loan spell at Spalding Utd.

Left back Ryan Wilson is the son of former Rams player Kevin. Ryan started out at Ilkeston and after a move to Gateshead, he has played for a number of clubs in the East Midlands region, notably Alfreton, Coalville and Matlock. He came to Basford in May 2019 after spell at Telford.

Defender Dominic Roma started his professional career at Sheffield United. After loans at Boston Utd, Hinckley and Tamworth, he joined Hinckley on a permanent move. He’s played at Alfreton, Harrogate and Gainsborough, before coming to Basford in 2017.

Centre back Brad Gascoigne was a Birmingham City junior, but since his release in 2012 has travelled widely through the non league world. Having played for 17 clubs over his career he came to Basford in 2019 from Barwell.

Declan Dunn is another former Notts County junior. The young Centre Back also had a spell on loan at Grantham before joining Basford last season.

Winger Terry Hawkridge played junior football at Barnsley and Tranmere, before returning to Nottinghamshire with Carlton Town. Spells at Hucknall and Gainsboroough followed before he joined Scunthorpe Utd. Three seasons with the Irons preceded loans at Mansfield and Lincoln, before a permanent move to Lincoln.

Stays at Notts County, Solihull and Boston Utd followed before arriving at Basford this season.

Skipper Matt Thornhill is an attacking midfielder and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He went on loan to Brighton and Cheltenham, making 70 first team appearances, before a spell with Hibernian.

He returned to England with Buxton in 2012, and has also played for Shaw Lane and Gainsborough before signing for Basford in Match 2017.

Veteran striker Aaron O’Connor started off at Ilkeston before joining Scunthorpe Utd. After a brief stop at Nuneaton, he returned to Ilkeston, before a three year spell at Gresley Rovers.

After heading south to Grays Athletic he joined Mansfield in the Conference, moving on via Rushden, Luton, Forest Green Rovers, Stevenage, Kettering and Tamworth, joining Basford last month.

Striker Kane Richards is Derby born and a former Rams Junior. He had a loan spell at Matlock before his release, seeing him move on to Ilkeston, Chester, Gainsborough, Dover and Telford, before arriving at Basford from Kidderminster July last year.

Alex Howes is another to come from the Notts County Academy. The young midfielder made 41 first team appearances for the Magpies, before loans at Coalville and Tamworth preceded his release and a move to Basford in August last year.

Striker Reco Fyfe came in from Gainsborough, having previously played for Ilkeston.

Stef Galinski is a centre back that played junior football  at both Derby County and Stoke City. He had a loan at Corby before joining Boston Utd in 2013. He has since moved on via Stalybridge, Alfreton, Grantham and Hednesford, before joining Basford in November 2018.

Wing back James Clifton started at Aston Villa, before joining Oxford City. Moving on to Kettering, Brackley and Sutton Coldfield, he later joined Nuneaton and came to Basford from Corby last summer.

Originally a Hartlepool Junior, striker Josh Scott was at Mansfield prior to joining Basford, originally on loan last summer.

Rev James is a midfielder who started out as a Rotherham and Oxford Junior. He was on loan at Basford in 2018, but came on a permanent from Tamworth in November 2019.

Former Heanor town keeper Jordan Pierpoint is Collin’s current understudy.

The kick off as usual is 3pm…………. be there!!

by Peter Scherer

The days rain finally came to an end as the teams lined up for kick off, but a fairly scrappy  90 minutes failed to provide any real positivity from either side.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Alex Morris 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Andrew Wright, Josh Satchwell, Roger Lee, Ben Gowing, Ethan Mann.

After some end to end play for the first 10 minutes, Bennett’s overlap provided Battisson with a first attempt on goal.

It continued to be a fairly scrappy game, with both teams giving the ball away at regular intervals.

Bennett had another good run after 15 minutes, but tried to take it too far and lost possession. Two minutes later Sports had what was to be rare chance, when Lewin had found Dales, whose cross set up a Beavon header, tipped out for a corner by Nantwich keeper Terry. 

From Agustien’s resulting corner Bateman stretched and  put the ball just wide of the post, with a certain amount of panic in the Nantwich box.

20 minutes in and Mickleover started to put more pressure on the Nantwich defence, but a promising move between Agustien and Battisson broke down.

Lewin put a challenging cross right into the middle of the visitors box, it was blocked by Ben Harrison though, as Bennett was about to connect.

Agustien’s trickery then got another ball through, with Bacon almost on the receiving end. A minute later Agustien tried himself, but his effort was well off target.

Dales had had little opportunity to show his pace, but on the half hour his run ended when he was fouled just outside the box. The free kick was blocked and it triggered a dangerous break for Nantwich, which ended with Casper Hughes firing his shot straight at Hawkins.

As Mickleover went on the attack again, Battisson worked his way through, but his final pass came to nought with Bacon flagged offside.

Sean Cooke then fired a shot well over Hawkins’ bar, after a promising build up by the visitors.

Bateman had shown good distribution from defence and after 39 minutes decided to go it alone, with a long run into the opponents box. Dales picked it up but couldn’t find the space to get a shot in.

Nantwich then had a free kick, which Cooke yet again sent straight at Hawkins.

As half time beckoned Mickleover had their second real chance of the game, when Dales was clear on the right. His cross was perfection and right at Bacon’s feet, but keeper Terry was quick off his line and took the ball from the strikers feet.

There were no immediate changes from either side as the second half got underway and disappointingly it started to follow a similar pattern to the first half.

Theo Stair put in an early weak shot straight at Hawkins, but then a defensive mix up could have spelled disaster for Mickleover.

Lewin’s pass failed to carry on the wet surface and Lawrie almost intercepted as Hawkins raced off his line.

Only a minute later Dales earned another corner and the resulting cross just missed bandaged Butler’s head, as  the end to end play continued.

56 minutes and Nantwich had a dangerous cross, but a foul earned Sports a free kick.

Nantwich were looking for the breaks at every opportunity and it was only their lack of finishing that stopped them taking the lead.

Mickleover showed a glimpse of their normal style on the hour, when an all round team attack allowed Battisson to let go from well outside the area. It was on target but held by the keeper.

Bacon then had a shot saved by the keeper after a Bennett cross as the deadlock continued.

Nantwich had a shot well off target after 69 minutes, before Cooke sent a free kick way over the bar for the visitors too.

Mickleover made the first change when Wright came on for Agustien, but further attempts for Nantwich went high or wide of the target.

Battisson went on another long run after a 77^th minute corner for Nantwich broke down. He found Bacon in the middle but the keeper came off best again.

There were more wasted opportunities for the visitors, but Mickleover opted to swap Satchwell for Bacon for the last eight minutes.

Five minutes later Dales beat the defence and his cross just missed Satchwell’s head, before Beavon went close again with a header two minutes later from a corner.

Sports pushed forward again in the closing minutes and both Dales and Satchwell were manhandled earning a late free kick.

Into time added on and Beavon found Dales on the left, but his cross fell just short of Satchwell in the middle and it was game over at 0-0.