SAVOUR VICTORY
COALVILLE took a huge step towards promotion with a lastgasp victory against play-off hopefuls Nuneaton.
Former Boro man Ashley Chambers struck the decisive blow with a 90th-minute strike to snatch a precious three points.
The result was particularly sickening for the hosts as they suffered their first league defeat of the campaign – a loss that all but ends any lingering hopes of going up automatically themselves. The Ravens, on the other hand, are now within four points of leaders Tamworth with three games in hand.
There wasn’t much between the two sides, with defences staying on top and chances at a premium.
The best chance of the first half came for the visitors after 30 minutes as Luke Shaw ghosted in on the right and fired a low cross across the six-yard box, but Billy Kee couldn’t get the touch needed to convert.
Nuneaton huffed and puffed, but Luke Benbow’s effort from the edge of the box that went narrowly wide was as close as they came to breaking the deadlock in the first 45.
The game followed a similar pattern in the second half, although as it wore on, the away side looked the were more likely to score – Tom McGlinchey going closest when his shot was parried away by Boro keeper Tony Breeden.
A tight encounter always looked like being settled by one moment of quality, and so it proved as Coalville broke quickly from a Nuneaton corner in stoppage time, feeding Chambers to lift the ball over Breeden and claim the three points.
Ravens boss Adam Stevens refused to get too excited by what could prove to be a pivotal day in their season, though. “We know we’ve got lots of games to play but we’ll just crack on with what we’re doing, no over-the-top celebrations from us, it’s just on to the next one, and I know we’ve got lots and lots of tough fixtures ahead,” said Stevens.
“We’ve got 30 points to play for. You can think about this or that happening, but then if your auntie was your uncle and all that. All we’re bothered about is we’ve got a good group.”
★★★★★