Evo-Stik Division One South
Bill Stokeld Stadium, Stoke Lane, Gedling
Saturday, 4th April 2015, 3.00pm
Gresley Made To Dig Deep
Gresley had to dig deep to come back from two goals down to grab a vital point at Carlton Town who proved to be a stern test for the Moatmen on a poor surface.
The Millers took the lead with a superb shot from Aaron Hooton over the head of visiting keeper Liam Roberts and doubled their advantage on the hour mark with a goal from Corbin Shires.
Gresley hit back with Mitch Hanson heading home and Alex Steadman converting his fifth league penalty.
The Moatmen made just one change with Lucas Harrison replacing John Guy who took his place on the bench.
A very uneven surface didn't help either side to play football with chances at a premium. Gresley did cause a scramble in the Carlton box but the ball would not fall kindly for any player and it was eventually cleared after a few heart stopping moments for the homeside.
The first decent chance for either side came on 22 minutes when Kieran O'Connell fired a low shot at the far post only for Millers keeper Curtis McDonald to stick out a leg and deny him. Karl Ashton then fired straight at McDonald.
On 34 minutes Carlton took the lead with a decent goal. Hooton was allowed to turn near the edge of the penalty area and hit shot flew over the head of Roberts and into the net.
Gresley thought they had got a good appeal for a penalty when a defender handled the ball but referee Mr Pratt adjudged the infringement to have been literally an inch or so from the edge of the area.
The visitors were finding it difficult to create any more chances but a good run down the left by O'Connell ended with the ball slipped to Jack Langston but the goal bound was blocked.
Gresley continued to struggle against a good defending side and indeed they found themselves two down just after the hour. A corner from the left by former Moatman Paolo Piliero was headed on by Shires but Roberts managed to push the ball onto the far post and was then extremely unfortunate to have the ball strike him on his back and ricochet into the net.
In previous seasons that would have been the finish for Gresley but this side dug in and began to ask the Millers defence questions and they soon reduced the deficit. Langston's free kick from the left seemed to have been too long but Hanson ran behind the hesitant home defence and volleyed the ball past McDonald.
Substitute Rob Mulonga, on for Lucas Harrison, was soon testing the defence with a shot which was blocked but Carlton almost caught the visitors napping. Awarded a free kick on the right Jamie Walker swung the ball over to the far post but Shire headed narrowly wide.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill made his final substitution bringing on John Guy for Karl Ashton and his introduction made an instant impact. Guy, who normally plays in the back line, was pushed up front and he raced into the area and superbly turned Miller's skipper Martin Ball and was about to fire home when Ball tripped him denying a goal scoring opportunity. He was very fortunate to be shown only a yellow card when Mr Pratt awarded the penalty kick. Steadman placed the ball on the spot and sent McDonald the wrong way to level the scores.
Carlton had another let off minutes later when Steadman was racing in on goal only to be dragged back by Shires and again Mr Pratt must have been in a lenient mood as he once more only showed a yellow card.
Guy was looking like he could help his side snatch a late winner with a header being grabbed from under the bar by McDonald and then having his scuffed shot blocked deep in time added on.
