Hatters keep up
COUNTY returned to winning ways at relegation battlers Gainsborough on Saturday, as Danny Lloyd’s second half penalty earned a crucial three points for The Hatters to keep in touch of a National League North play-off berth.
In a scrappy affair at the Northolme, Lloyd confidently dispatched a 57th minute spot kick after fullback Connor Hampson’s burst into the Gainsborough area was halted by Ioan Evans - and kept Jim Gannon’s side right in the mix as the season draws to a close.
The vital win in Lincolnshire, which pushed Trinity closer to the relegation trapdoor, leaves County outside the playoff places on goal difference, with an Easter double header against strugglers Telford and Worcester to follow this weekend.
After a frustrating 1-1 stalemate with in-form Nuneaton at Edgeley Park last weekend halted The Hatters’ momentum somewhat, Gannon opted to remain with the same 4-3-3 formation; with the only change coming by way of the injured Chris Smalley being replaced by winger Kaine Felix.
Smalley was left rocked by the news that the dependable centre-half has been playing through a fractured foot as of late; although the former Kendal man’s solid partnership with Michael Clarke means The Hatters are prepared to patch the 26 year-old up for the remaining four fixtures, with Gannon hopeful that Smalley will be ready to feature against AFC Telford on Friday evening.
In the glorious sunshine, the Hatters enjoyed the greater share of early possession against their nervy hosts.
Danny Lloyd was typically the first to threaten as his mazy run after cutting in from the right was tipped away by Tom Nicholson, before also twice tested home goalkeeper Tom Nicholson - a loanee from play-off rivals Halifax.
Nicholson stood firm moments later to block an attempt by forward Sefton Gonzales at close range.
In truth, the clash broke down into a perhaps unsurprising scrappy affair, with both sides knowing that only positive results will aid their respective battles at either end of the division.
The half petered out with very little goalmouth action at either end, with the hosts failing to muster a single effort on goal with their only attempt coming via striker Chib Chilaka, who cleared the stadium with his wild long-range strike.
Despite County’s second half dominance, the quality of the tie improved little after the interval although it did take just 10 minutes after the break for the visitors to get their noses in front through a lovely move.
Lloyd played a midfield one-two with Lewis Montrose after dropping deep, before instantly keeping the move flowing out wide to the onrushing Sam Minihan.
Minihan’s cross to the back post was brought down by Hampson, who charged into the area after controlling on his chest only to be hacked down by the clumsy Evans.
Lloyd duly stepped up to convert a second penalty in as many matches blasting the spot-kick to