Bedworth United vs Gresley Rovers
Greenbacks beaten
A goal apiece from Chris Gray and Neil Kitching was enough to secure maximum points and the third win in a row for Jon Newsome's men.
Both the home and the visitor's defences had the best of the first 15 minutes denying both sides any real goal scoring chances.
On 21 minutes Bedworth thought they had snatched the opening goal but Danny O'Toole was prevented his moment of glory by the upraised flag of the assistant as he was adjudged to have been offside.
Andy Bourne using his pace was unlucky when after beating Chris Goodman to meet Gray's cross could only head his chance straight into the arms of Richard Williams.
Chances on goal were rarely being created in the first half with one of the few coming to Kitching as he slid in to try and connect with Chris Parkins dangerous cross missing the ball by a mere fraction.
On 41 minutes, however, the 'on-fire' striker took his tally to three goals in three successive games. The goal came from a 'doubtful' decision by the referee to award Gresley a corner. But there was no doubt whatsoever in the quality of the resulting goal.
Gray swung in a superb left wing corner and Kitching was allowed to head powerfully home unmarked at the near post.
After the interval Bedworth came at Gresley looking for an equaliser and it could have come when Goodman's brave header from a Lee Middleton cross went narrowly wide of the upright.
Bedworth were now in the driving seat putting Gresley under constant pressure a Craig Whitmore deflected shot was saved by James Lindley.
On 73 minutes, Newsome made a change. Kitching, who had taken a bang in the ribs, was replaced by Jamie Barrett and Gresley turned the tables and began to change gear.
The man-of-the-match Parkins again shrugged off the attentions of Jamie Hood but his low shot went the wrong side of the post.
Michael Crawford then went close when he received a ball from Richard Wardle and tried out Richard Williams from 20 yards.
On 84 minutes the goal Gresley had been looking for arrived. Parkins sent Barrett on a run and the youngster did well to put in a fine low cross from the by-line to the waiting Gray who made no mistake in side footing the ball home from close range.
Parkins almost got the goal his performance deserved on 87 minutes when Gray's corner found him and his attempt on goal was hacked off the line by Hood.
With only a minute of normal time left on the clock Gresley made things tense as the unlucky Ian Bluck helped Dave Aston's effort into his own net.
Things may have been worse for Newsome's men when deep in stoppage time Ben Stean had the golden chance of grabbing a point for the Greenbacks but lifted his shot over the bar from 12 yards.
The manager's view
"I thought we did well tonight, it was a very workmanlike performance. Our Shape was good, we defended well and we took our chances well.
"We put our foot on it when it was needed and overall I was as pleased as I have been all season.
Bedworth United (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Scorers: Bluck 89 (og) (Bedworth United; Kitching 41, Gray 84 (Gresley Rovers)
Bedworth United: R Williams, McGregor, Goodman, Everitt, Hood, Sewell, Steane, L Middleton, O'Toole (Aston 75), C Middleton (D Williams 85), Whitmore (Partridge 69). Subs not used: Richardson, Drewitt.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, G Moran, G White, Crawford, Bluck, Cheetham, Bourne, Wardle, Kitching (Barrett 73), Parkins, Gray. Subs not used: Peters, James, Newsome, Clarke (gk).
Rovers Star Man: Chris Parkins – Worked hard the entire match.
Referee: R Burton (Kettering).
Attendance: 286
