Nuneaton Borough vs Gresley Rovers
Lords of the Manor - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
A superb first half goal by Martin Devaney and a magnificent defensive performance gave Gresley Rovers a great glorious victory over Beazer Midland leaders Nuneaton Borough in front of 2,112 spectators at the Manor Ground last night.
Devaney struck with a 37th-minute header to cap a move hailed by Moat boss Steve Dolby as "the goal of the season."
His team's defensive showing will, however, have delighted Dolby even more. Not before this season had they been subjected to such concerted pressure, but with Bob Aston a defiant figure behind a reshuffled defence that looked as if it had been playing together all season, Borough were thwarted time and again.
Rovers' game plan was to exert their own pressure on the Borough back four - correctly perceived by Dolby as the weakest area of their title-chasing side - and after an opening quarter in which the home side dominated possession, yet only had Darren Bullock's off-target header to show, the policy showed signs of paying off.
Nuneaton repeatedly conceded ground on their right flank and Craig Weston almost took advantage with a 25th-minute shot saved by the diving Richard Attwood. Then Devaney cut in from the opposite wing to fire a 20-yard effort just wide of the upright.
Nuneaton's main threat was through the pace of Tony Simpson on the right and when the winger won a corner - one of 16 to the home side during the game against Rovers' three - Borough were presented with possibly their best chance of the game when Ian Cottrill's kick fell to Mark Rosegreen eight yards out.
But such was the tenacity of Gresley's defending that Graeme Rigg - excellent throughout the centre - had cleared before the striker could raise his boot to shoot.
Back cane Rovers, and when Denby swung over a free kick from the left their fans screamed for a penalty as Bullock clearly handled in the box. The referee disagreed, however, and as the ball squirted out to the far post Stuart Evans fired wide.
Nine minutes later, though, came the decisive goal. Dave Swainston and Denby worked the ball of defence with a series of passes, the Rovers skipper switching play with a glorious crossfield ball to Richard Wardle and, as the Nuneaton defence was drawn inside, the midfielder played Mike Taplin into space on the right for an excellent cross that Devaney, arriving at a gallop, buried at the far post with an emphatic header.
With their fans baying for reprisals, Nuneaton stepped up the pressure even more but even when otherwise impeccable Aston Spilled Cotrill's cross Evans was on hand to clear Rosegreen's shot off the line.
Then, when Denby was harshly judged to have fouled Mark Culpin 20 yards out, Bullock arrowed a free kick toward the top of the net but Aston reacted brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.
Borough's last chance had gone and Rovers could have added to their agony as late chances for Wardle, Taplin and substitute Ian Scott all went begging.
Nuneaton Borough (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorer: Devaney (37).
Nuneaton Borough: Attwood, Wade, Ridding (Green 85), Bullock, Whetton, Cottrill, Simpson, Bradder, Rosegreen, Culpin, Tarry. Sub not used: Kane.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Foster, Swainston, Denby, Evans, Rigg, Wardle, Weston, Taplin (Scott 85), Devaney, Hurst (Marsden 78).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Bob Aston.
Referee: R Kirk (Rushden).
Attendance: 2112
