An Adam Jones goal two minutes from time secured a dramatic win for Nantwich Town over Marine, writes Richard Scott.
Defender Jones bagged both goals for the Dabbers in front of a jubilant 200 fans at Weaver Stadium.
And it proved the perfect send off for club stalwart Neville Clarke, as players, staff and supporters paid tribute to the life-long fan ho recently died.
Nantwich could have been ahead inside two minutes, when Aaron Burns, playing against his former club, had a header from a Max Harrop cross which was fumbled by Matthew Cooper.
But his header didn’t have enough power to trickle into the back of the net.
Nantwich were the dominant side, attacking the visitors with pace and they could have been in twice but for the offside flag stopping Iain Howard and Burns in their tracks.
There was a shout for a Marine penalty on 13 minutes when Christian Langos ran through into the area and fell over, but despite the appeals from the Marine player the referee waved it away.
The ball was cleared up to Steve Jones who was able to break through, but his shot was just wide.
Less then a minute later Howard hit the post as he shot from outside the area as Nantwich looked to stamp their authority on the game.
Marine’s first real chance of the game on 19 minutes fell to Daniel Fearnehough, his shot which was drifting wide just evading the onrushing Stephen Wainwright at the back post.
The visitors then took the lead on 23 minutes when a header at the back post from Langos found Daniel Whitehall who headed past Stevenson.
The Dabbers should have levelled a minute later when Andy White broke into the area but his low cross evaded everyone.
They were level on 29 minutes when a Harrop free kick was only cleared wide to Adam Jones and the centre back smashed a half volley into the bottom corner.
Nantwich could have been ahead before half time when Harrop burst into the box and tried a shot which was blocked. The follow up landed to Sam Wilson but his shot was also blocked.
The Dabbers started the second half strongly with Howard playing in Harrop and he could have scored but for the intervention of Karl Clair.
On 50 minutes a cross from Howard found Burns, whose diving header was tipped over.
At the other end Adam Jones had clear off the line when Whitewall beat Stevenson to the ball.
Soon after Burns made good use of a ref’s advantage to break through when being held back but his cross was too strong.
Danny Johnson brought on Mark Winslade in the 71st minute for Steve Jones.
With six minutes of the game to go Howard had a free kick just inside the Marine half which found Wilson whose header was straight at the keeper.
But the home side’s pressure paid off in the 88th minute when a Harrop corner was met by Adam Jones and he headed in past Cooper.
In the final minute of injury time, Harrop was sent off for a second yellow card for a foul just outside the Nantwich box.
The free kick was blocked by the Dabbers wall and they were able to take all three points.
The Dabbers are again in action this Saturday as they welcome FC United Of Manchester to the Weaver Stadium- kick off 3pm.
Nantwich Town: Stevenson, Wilson, White, M.Jones, A.Jones, Bailey, Meaney, Burns, Howard and Harrop. Subs: Lycett, Blake, Winslade (on for S.Jones, 71 minutes), Clayton and Dowling.
(Pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
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