Last-minute penalty-miss costs Yellows

Nationwide Conference North Saturday September 17

HUCKNALL TOWN 0 NUNEATON BOROUGH 1

Impressive Nuneaton were hanging on to a one-goal lead when fit-again striker Gary Ricketts was upended by Matty Collins as he jinked his way into the box.

Sheffield referee Pawson pointed straight to the spot – and up stepped Town's top scorer Robert Gill to salvage a precious point.

But to the dismay of Yellows fans, Gill blazed his left-foot kick high and wide to sentence the locals to their first home defeat of the season and only their third of any description.

"Robert was devastated – he's that kind of player," said player/manager Dean Barrick.

"But you need courage to step up to take a penalty and you are never going to score them all.

"I told him if he was ever going to miss one, he might as well make it the worst miss I have ever seen in my life!

"The last we heard, the ball was running down the road towards Mansfield!"

Barrick could afford to shrug off the setback with a laugh because he'd seen his side play their part in a highly entertaining game, laced with quality.

"In one way, it was frustrating because we got nothing from it but in another way, it was quite encouraging that we gave a really good side a run for their money," philosophised Barrick.

"Nuneaton were a quality side with a good team-spirit and good players who worked hard.

"If we finish above them at the end of the season, we will be in the play-offs because they will be top five.

"I thought it was a good game that all the players, both managers and all the fans enjoyed.

"We lost but we have 15 points from eight games and if someone had offered me that at the start of the season, considering how little money we have had to spend, I would have snatched their hands off."

The return of Ricketts, who hasn't played since limping off with a knee-injury 19 minutes into the first match of the season at Stafford Rangers, was another bonus for Town.

He replaced Mark Ward up front, while Mark Smith, who netted the winner at Worcester City the previous Saturday, came in for Tom Groves in midfield.

Nuneaton's line-up included Martin Reeves, one of the highest-rated midfielders in the division, and a centre-back pairing of ex-Mansfield Town man Neil Moore and one-time Yellows target, veteran Terry Angus.

But it was Gez Murphy who made the first impression, poking a shot wide from only six yards after David Staff had crossed from the deadball line.

At the other end, both Ricketts and Phil Rowland went close for Town. But Murphy continued to cause problems and a shot from the edge of the area, which had to be saved by James Lindley, was followed by a 25-yarder that drifted wide and then a drive across goal that narrowly missed the far post.

Ricketts continued to look menacing. But as the first half came to a close, Murphy pounced again when a poor backpass from Alistair Asher put Lindley in trouble. Fortunately for Town, the 'keeper's clearance bounced off the Nuneaton man's legs and away from goal.

Nuneaton started the second half strongly and although the best early chance fell at the other end, with Rowland curling a shot just wide, the visitors broke the deadlock just after the hour.

The goal stemmed from a corner that was only half cleared. Mark Noon headed the loose ball back into the danger zone and as skipper Chris Timons struggled to intercept, it dropped kindly for Michael Frew who nodded over the advancing Lindley.

Only moments earlier, Town had lost midfield man Steve Palmer, who had to go off with a twisted ankle after stepping on the ball.

But his replacement, veteran Mark Nangle, almost created a 69th minute equaliser when jumping highest to head on a free-kick from Chris Beech. The ball found its way to Ricketts for a firm overhead shot that visiting 'keeper Darren Acton did well to save.

Nuneaton responded by threatening to take command and forced five corners. Moore steered a near-post header on to the roof of the net and then Noon fluffed a golden chance to seal the points, blasting wide when racing into the area.

But Town survived and threw caution to the wind in the last 12 minutes, sending on a fourth striker in Ward.

They tried all they knew to satisfy their biggest crowd of the season. But not even a penalty was enough.

GOAL – Frew (Nuneaton) 61.

CROWD – 625.

TOWN STARMAN – Ricketts.

THE LINE-UPS

HUCKNALL TOWN

(4-4-2)

DEFENCE

1James Lindley

2Alistair Asher

5Chris Timons

6Russell Cooke

3Chris Beech

MIDFIELD

7Mark Smith

4Phil Rowland

8Steve Palmer

11Leon McSweeney

ATTACK

9Gary Ricketts

10Robert Gill

SUBS

Mark Nangle (for Palmer 60), Mark Ward (for Smith 78), Paul Robinson (not used), Tom Groves (not used), Tom Carter (not used).

NUNEATON BOROUGH

1Darren Acton

2Robert Oddy

3Michael Love

4Martin Reeves

5Neil Moore

6Terry Angus

7Matty Collins

8Mark Noon

9Michael Frew

10Gez Murphy

11David Staff

SUBS

Gary Fitzpatrick (for Reeves 80), Brian Quailey (for Murphy 85), Stuart Whittaker (not used), Kevin Wilkin (not used), Joe Mellings (not used).

REFEREE

Mr C.Pawson (Sheffield)