Rothwell's winner sees Bulwell overcome Linby

Conor Carter gave Bulwell the lead against Linby as his side eventually ran out 2-1 winners.

Linby have only themselves to blame for not having a comfortable early lead in this game.

Kaylum Mitchell missed a first minute opportunity when clear, and this was followed by a Dale Chapman shot following a corner being headed off the line and the loose ball coming out to Mitchell who shot wide of the mark.

Joe Butler picked up a stray Bulwell pass in midfield and sent Chapman clear, but his shot lacked power and Rikki Taylor spread himself to touch the ball behind for a corner.

Chapman was through again minutes later but failed once more.

The visitors were playing some nice football but lacked penetration. They almost got back into the game when Sean Craven’s shot was not held by Luca Rocco, who just managed to recover before Sam Rothwell could latch onto the loose ball and turn it into the net.

Craven then saw his high looping cross from the right bounce off the top of the bar as Rocco completely misjudged the flight of the ball and Rothwell saw his follow-up shot turned round the post by the sprawling goalkeeper.

Bulwell took the lead on 32 minutes through a superbly taken free-kick from just outside the penalty area by Conor Carter.

Moments later Butler should have restored parity when he was played clear, but his attempted chipped shot over the onrushing Taylor hit the goalkeeper on the head and the ball bounced clear.

Linby did level 13 seconds into the second-half, Tom Coupe shooting home as the visitors’ defence were still supping their half-time tea.

At the other end Rocco turned a Carter shot for a corner at full stretch.

Coupe lobbed wide across goal when Linby returned to the attack, this from a glorious Sam Meakin through ball which deserved a better finish.

But it was the visitors who won the game with 12 minutes left. Carter instigated the move which saw Rothwell shoot beyond Rocco as the home defence once again left much to be desired.

Conor’s header from Ross McCaughey’s free-kick was held by Rocco as Bulwell threatened to stretch their advantage in the closing stages.

Linby put on late pressure but substitute Mason Coy’s free-kick failed to beat the wall and Carter, match winner at one end, became saviour at the other when he headed an inswinging corner off the line before time was up.