Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Rugby Town

This result benefited neither side as both were desperate for all three points to try and haul themselves out of the relegation positions, but they seemed to cancel each other out despite Rovers having most of the shots of which just one registered, whereas Rugby had just the one and also scored.

Thankfully the rain predicted earlier in the week didn’t materialise so they game could go ahead. Again, full credit to the groundsmen who prepared the pitch and although a little soft was fully playable.

The very welcome spring sunshine made for the best crowd of the season with 512 present but unfortunately there was not the classic game for them to witness, instead two sides not wanting to lose but not able to win this vital game.

Things looked good for the home side when they took an early lead. A free kick was awarded to Rovers on the left just outside of the area. John King stepped forward and managed to hit his shot between keeper and near post and into the net.

It was just the start Rovers needed but Rugby showed they were not going to lie down and hand over the points and went close to levelling minutes later also from a free kick but the kick from 30 yards out was well blocked by the Rovers’ defence.

The play went to the other end where Dylan Hunniford was testing the resolve of Tomasz Bukowski, the visiting keeper, with a stinging shot from the edge of the area. Connor Pace and Charlie Knowles were causing Rugby problems which forced a free kick and a booking for Barry Fitzharris.

Just after the half hour mark Rugby were level. Against the run of play a move down the left saw Ayo Lekuti fire a shot that was blocked, Theo Rowe picked up the loose ball before beating his marker on the bye-line but he somehow managed to get his shot off and into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Rovers had one more chance before the break when Knowles once more beat his marker and sent a cross to Pace who could only fire straight at the keeper.

Jack Tyson went close to giving his side the lead again within seconds of the second half starting heading King’s cross from the left just over the bar. Rovers continued to press for a winner, but passes were going astray at the vital time. Both sides made changes, but it was still the home side who was creating the chances with Pace firing a free kick over the bar.

With two minutes of normal time remaining Rovers almost got the goal they deserved. Tyson was put through on goal down the middle with substitute Haydn Brown alongside. Tyson played Brown in and he hit a shot heading for the bottom corner but the outstretched leg of the onrushing Bukowski denied the goal the Rovers’ faithful had been hoping for.

That was the final clearcut chance for either side and they both had to settle for a point a piece. The news that Rushden had pulled off an amazing 2-0 away win at top club Harborough didn’t help matters as they pulled two points clear from Rovers and three from Rugby.