Late winner spares Clay Cross blushes against ten men

Supersub Joel Holland grabbed a late winner as Clay Cross Town defied a fightback by ten-man AFC Bentley at the top of the Central Midlands League’s North Division.
Clay Cross striker Ant Lynam is denied a goal by the toe of Bentleys Callum Taylor.Clay Cross striker Ant Lynam is denied a goal by the toe of Bentleys Callum Taylor.
Clay Cross striker Ant Lynam is denied a goal by the toe of Bentleys Callum Taylor.

Returning to league action for the first time in three weeks, Clay Cross appeared to be heading for a costly draw, which would have cut their lead in the table to just two points over Retford, who have two games in hand.

Fifth-placed Bentley had fought back from 2-0 down, despite being reduced to ten men as early as the 13th minute. But in the 83rd minute, man-of-the-match Brown broke through the home defence and fired in a low shot that was deflected into the net by Holland for a 3-2 win.

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The Millers had also netted the opening goal of a tricky trip to Doncaster when striker Ant Lynam turned sharply in the area to fire a low, hard drive through a cluster of defenders in the third minute.

Bentley almost levelled when an effort by Jack Varley rolled on to a post, but then they had Kyle Downing sent off for a two-footed challenge.

Clay Cross took advantage by doubling their lead when Callam Lytham surged forward to slide past advancing ‘keeper James Brookes.

But Lytham gave away a penalty that was converted by Theo Mowatt, who also scored Bentley’s equaliser on the half-hour.