Two stunning goals by Steve Jones and Matty Kosylo could not prevent Nantwich Town slipping to defeat at Barwell, writes Richard Scott.
The Dabbers lost 3-2, only their second defeat under new boss Phil Parkinson.
The first chance fell to Nantwich when Sean Cooke was brought down.
He was allowed to take a quick free kick which found Clayton in the area, but the play was stopped as the forward was tugging the defender’s shirt.
But it was the hosts who took the lead just four minutes in when keeper Terry Smith was adjudged by the ref to have taken the ball out of play.
The resultant corner fell to Kieran Brehon and he shot past Smith via a deflection.
The Dabbers had a couple of chances through Steve Jones (pictured), but the Barwell back line stood firm.
On 18 minutes there was a worry for the Dabbers when Kosylo collided with keeper Liam Castle, but after treatment he was able to continue.
Steve Jones, Kosylo and Clayton linked up well to play in Cooke, but the winger’s shot was wide of the goal.
Jones had another chance when he cut in, but Castle pushed it out for a corner.
Ben Harrison then headed wide from the corner as they started to put pressure on Barwell.
The Kirby Roaders could have had a second goal through Jamie Towers but Mark Jones blocked his shot.
The ball rebounded to Melvin but the ever impressive Ben Harrison blocked.
Andy White had an effort deflected wide for a corner after Kosylo played him in.
The corner which followed saw Harrison and Mark Jones clashing heads, and both needed treatment.
Moments later it was 2-0 to the hosts when Cooke was caught in possession and Brehon ran in on goal before crossing to Towers who headed home.
Nantwich started the second half with three at the back as Ben Harrison came off for Mark Winslade.
The Dabbers started to stretch the Barwell back four, pushing for a way back in.
But the third goal went to Barwell as a long ball was dropped by Smith and Nigel Julian was able to tap in.
Before the restart, Osborne came on for Blake and Tomkinson came off for Colley in the host’s first change.
Nantwich got one back when Steve Jones rifled in a right-footed effort into the near post from 20 yards.
It brought new life into the Dabbers as they forced a corner following a storming Kosylo run.
But Castle was able to catch in as Nantwich players went for the ball.
Nantwich started to hammer on the door for a second but Barwell were always dangerous and Smith had to be on hand as Towers had a shot which stung the finger tips of the Dabbers one.
Kosylo then had a chance after Clayton played him in on 72 minutes, but his effort fizzed over the bar.
The Dabbers hopes were crushed when Steve Jones was dismissed on 73 minutes for an off the ball incident after the former Crewe Alexandra man was clipped.
Kosylo made the final four minutes interesting when he lifted the ball into the top corner of the goal.
And Mark Jones’ barnstorming run from the back almost levelled it up in injury time, but it was inches wide.
Nantwich are back in action on Saturday March 21 when Rushall Olympic visit the Weaver Stadium.
Nantwich Town: Smith, Dowling, White, M.Jones (C), Harrison, Blake, S.Jones, Platt, Clayton, Cooke and Kosylo. Subs: Winslade (On for Harrison, 46 minutes), Osborne (On for Blake, 56 minutes), Moyo and Griggs.
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