Match Report  |  Sheffield FC vs Gresley Rovers

This game was in doubt right up to the kick off and on a pitch that resembled a cross between the battlefield of the Somme and Skegness beach after the tide has gone out both side found it difficult to play any sort of decent football.

Manager Gary Norton had to make changes with right back Dan Douglas not making the game due to illness. However, he did have the services of Lee Mellon who had recovered from a hamstring injury.

Rovers started brightly with Brian Woodhall soon testing the resolve of Sheffield keeper Dan Haystead who blocked two decent strikes from the striker.

Sheffield's Vill Powell had a golden opportunity to give his side the lead when he ran onto Darryl Winter's ball over the top of the Rovers rearguard but with only keeper David Clarke to beat he hit his shot over the bar.

From a shot that was going wide Peter Davey almost caught the Rovers' defence napping as he ran into the back post area and was close to getting to the ball.

The hosts were getting to grips with the conditions and Chris Dolby was denied by Clarke who also prevented Winter scoring from a header after Paul Smith had supplied the cross.

Clarke was in action moments later pulling off a great block at his near post to deny Dolby.

The Rovers' keeper almost gave the home side the lead within minutes of the start of the second period. A miscommunication between Clarke and Jamie Hood allowed Stewart Copnell to collect the ball and cross for Powell who only half hit his shot which game Hood time to get back and clear off the line.

Rovers hit back with Tom Groves, back in the side after missing the last two games, picking out Stefan Marshall with a superb pass who smashed his shot on the turn wide of the mark.

Marshall then turned provider laying on a pass for Jordan Nadat whose shot from just inside the area hit the side netting.

Minutes later Nadat went close again when he volleyed Shaun Ridgway's free kick just over the bar.

The turning point came on 56 minutes when Hood, who'd been strong in defence, had to be replaced by Jermain Hollis after picking up a groin injury.

The change seemed to unsettle Rovers' defence and the hosts took the lead just three minutes later.

Sheffield substitute Jamie Smith found Peter Davey who in turn played the ball back for Dolby who hit a shot that took a big deflection to beat the diving Clarke.

The home side had to be thankful to their keeper as Rovers' almost got back on terms when Ridgway's shot was palmed away by Haystead and then from the cross he had to make two attempts to grab Miles Chamberlain's overhead kick.

Rovers had a good penalty shout turned down after Marshall had been dragged down by Haystead as the striker tried to get to Gavin Saunder's corner but the referee would have none of it.

Sheffield went poring forward in an attempt to kill the game off and Groves did well to prevent Asa Ingall getting off a shot.

However, the home side should have got their second but Gavin Smith was wasteful putting a shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

They didn't have to wait long though as on 78 minutes the second goal arrived. A long punt up field was helped on its way by Robert Ward and Jamie Smith got the better of Chamberlain before firing past Clarke and into the net.

Rovers refused to give up and Haystead managed to get a fingertip to the ball to turn a thunderous shot from Ridgway round the post and Tony Hemmings also going close to scoring as the game drew to a close.