Tamworth vs Gresley Rovers
Hit man Devaney - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers recent run of ill fortune looked set to stretch for another game at The Lamb yesterday.
Trailing very much against the run of play to a 30th minute Ian Crawley goal, the Moatmen had thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Tamworth and done all but score with the game entering its final quarter.
Then Martin Devaney provided the moment of inspiration that could just put Gresley's luck on the upturn, stretching and twisting for a head-high cross from Richard Wardle and sending a spectacular volley into the top corner of a goal Rovers had seemed destined never to breach.
It was the very least Rovers deserved for another improved performance that belied the fact that Steve Dolby's side had played four games in the previous eight days.
And it was fitting that the all-action Wardle should play a vital part in the goal. The midfielder Tamworth chose to discard was again Rovers' key player, drawing on resources of energy that other players seem unable to tap.
Wardle's effervescence and determination and Richard Denby's ability to spear a dead ball into the heart of the danger area had put Rovers on top right from the off, with Gresley skipper thrice putting the Tamworth defence in trouble with early free kicks.
Denby and Wardle were both involved as Rovers carved out a golden chance in the eighth minute, Mark Hurst's intelligent flick releasing Devaney through the centre. Alas, the striker has not enjoyed the best of luck in one-on-one situations this season and again he was unable to profit, Dean Williams racing from his line to block the chance.
Devaney went closer with a left foot shot that curled wide and a header that flew over before Tamworth broke away to take the lead, Mark Smith doing the spadework and a run down the centre and a pass to Crawley on the right, the striker cutting inside before hitting a low shot with rather less power than Bob Aston appeared to anticipate, the keeper diving over the ball as it found the net at the foot of the near post.
If anything, Rovers increased their dominance after the break, Christian Moore firing wide in the first minute then Williams doing well again to thwart Hurst as he burst clear onto Devaney's through ball. Wardle shot inches over from 18 yards but it was not quite one-way and the much-travelled Hugh Ledgister could twice have put the game beyond Rovers' reach but for abysmal finishing.
Rovers were largely in control though, Devaney seeing a shot blocked on the line then heading over the keeper only for Hurst to pull his shot across the face of goal.
It seemed a goal would never come but then Devaney produced his moment of magic and Rovers were in full cry for victory.
Tamworth were then within an ace of snatching all three points away when Smith hit a screamer towards the top corner but Aston, diving to his right, produced a classic save.
Then, in injury time, it seemed Rovers might prove outright victors as Wardle played Hurst through but the striker could not force the ball past Williams who saved dramatically with his feet.
Tamworth (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Scorers: Crawley (Tamworth); Devaney (Gresley Rovers).
Tamworth: Dean, Williams, Whitehouse, Russell, Waters, Woodley, Ledgister, Demetrios, Bodkin, Mark Smith, Crawley, Ellisson. Subs not used: Clarke, Darren, Williams.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Foster (Matt Smith 80), Rigg, Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Weston, Hurst, Devaney, Moore (Scott 71).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Wardle.
Referee: M Dexter (Leicester).
Attendance: 917
