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Said Denby – the Moat Ground’s most prized asset – after Rocester’s 3-1 victory: “There was one difference between the two sides today – and that was Hemmings. He had a great game – but I still think the better side lost.”

Hemming’s worth to Rocester – surely Gresley’s main rivals to the Banks’s League title – was illustrated this week when the former Burton Albion winger was given a three-year contract.

Defeat was by no means a disaster for Gresley, who went into the game with a seven-point lead at the top of the Banks’s League table and a game in hand.

And their pain was eased when they learned that Lye Town – the only other 100 per centers in the league – had also been beaten – 1-0 at home by improving Hinckley Town.

Ironically, Gresley and Lye were due to meet today. But the game has been postponed because of Lye’s FA Vase commitments, leaving the majority of Gresley’s first team pool to kick their heels for yet another blank Saturday.

The day will not be completely wasted, however. Manager Frank Northwood intends to use tomorrow’s Moat Ground second team fixture against Lye reserves to further the rehabilitation of striker Tracey Norton, who is now reaching the end of a painful road to fitness after a string of injuries.

Norton played for the final 20 minutes of Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Millfields and admitted afterwards: “I’m a long way from fit yet. I feel very tired after tonight – but I’ve only had a couple of reserve games and deliberately took it easy in those.”

Co-striker Paul Acklam, scorer of both goals at Millfields, also plays today, Northwood recognising that a lengthy spell of absence caused by injury and suspension has left last season’s top scorer short of 100 per cent fitness.