Nantwich Town slip to third home defeat as Stourbridge win 3-2

Nantwich Town fell to their third straight defeat at home as they lost 3-2 to Stourbridge FC.

They fell behind inside 12 minutes to a Curtis Jones own goal, and a Luke Benbow effort from outside the box made it 2-0.

Nantwich battled back in the first half and levelled the score at 2-2.

Theo Stair bent in a superb free-kick, and three minutes before half time Ben Harrison strode forward and unleashed a 25-yard effort into the top corner.

Both teams had chances in a scrappy second-half, Dave Walker came closest, hitting an effort off the post.

However, the game turned in the final five minutes when Dabbers sub Josh Hancock was red-carded for a two-footed lunge.

Stourbridge then pinched in it injury time, as Brandon Hague bundled in.

The game had started in scrappy fashion, but the visitors were the first to hit the front after six minutes.

A Stourbridge corner saw the ball bounce into the box and a shot across goal was deflected in by the unfortunate Curtis Jones.

Five minutes later, Stourbridge doubled their advantage.

Benbow held the ball up and wriggled space before smashing in to give him his third in two games.

Dabbers were forced into half chances and Sean Cooke was booked for a late challenge.

But Nantwich improved, Josh Gordon shot over on 19 minutes before Theo Stair saw a free kick deflect just wide.

Cooke went close, as he weaved his way through and shot just wide.

They had a lifeline five minutes from half time.

Steve Jones was fouled and Stair stepped up to bend in a free-kick from 25 yards.

Andy White shot wide moments later, but they levelled with a moment of magic from defender Ben Harrison.

Just inside the Stourbridge half, he ran unchallenged towards goal and hit a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner.

Nantwich went close to grabbing their third soon after the break, as Cooke shot just wide of goal.

Both teams probed, but were unable to create any decent chances, and they seemed to tire.

Steve Jones was accidentally caught by Lait and he was forced to withdraw, replaced by Godwin Abadaki.

Josh Gordon was withdrawn for Dave Walker with 10 minutes left, and Josh Hancock came on for Theo Stair.

Walker was then played in on goal by Abadaki, and his shot beat Gould but cannoned back off the post.

Two minutes later, sub Hancock lost the ball then seemed to make a two-footed lunge as he tried to recover possession.

The ref showed Hancock a red card, which reduced them to 10 men for the final few minutes.

Then as the Dabbers looked to close the game out for a well-earned point, they were caught out at the back.

A through ball hit Bailey, deflected past Harrison and fell for Brandon Hague who managed to bundle past Parton, with the ball trickling over the line.

Nantwich had not time to recover, suffering their third straight home defeat.

Nantwich Town: Dave Parton, Andy White, Ben Harrison, Mat Bailey(c), Ibou Touray, Curtis Jones, Steve Jones(G.Abadaki 68), Wayne Riley, Josh Gordon(Walker 77), Sean Cooke, Theo Stair(Hancock 81). Subs: Josh Hancock, Dave Walker, Godwin Abadaki, Osebi Abadaki, Cal Jones

(Pics courtesy of Jonathan White)