Controversial Sleaford Town penalty prevents Melton Town from getting rare win

Sleaford were definitely the better side in the early exchanges.

Nine minutes in and a Sleaford throw-in aimed at the penalty area wasn’t dealt with by the defence and Skinner turned and shot from three yards out only for the ball to be blocked on the line.

Neither side really made any chances and it was 20 minutes in before the next effort which came from a diagonal cross which found Parker’s head and went the wrong side of the upright.

Melton's first chance came in the 34th minute when Hayes played a great ball over the top of the Sleaford defence and King received it before driving into the box, his shot to the far post was parried by Leecy and Wakley hit the rebound, which was blocked on the line.

Melton continued to pile on the pressureand just before half-time nearly found the breakthrough when King went on a run across the edge of the box before touching the ball to Calver, whose low shot was well saved.

The first chance of the second half came on the hour mark when some good footwork from Hurst saw him find Hayes, whose shot needed a diving save from Leecy to prevent a Melton opener.

The resulting corner saw Sackey-Mensah produce a powerful header which went inches over the crossbar.

Then in the 72nd minute Melton took the lead.

A great crossfield pass from Fura found Munakandafa on the touchline. He took the ball towards the area before a high ball to the far side of the pitch.

Edwards-John pulled the ball out of the air then drove to the by-line before hitting a low ball towards the six yard box where Munakandafa touched the ball into the net.

Minutes later and Edwards-John beat Greenwood again before hitting a shot which needed a great save from Leecy.

Edwards-John pounced onto the rebound before going to the by-line and trying his luck from a tight angle which hit the outside of the post.

With six minutes to go a contentious penalty was given to Sleaford when a free kick was played into the area and Sackey-Mensah, falling backwards, was judged to have handballed on the way down and Ashall converted the penalty.

Right on 90 minutes and Pearson was played in just on the edge of the D. He curled a shot that shaved the post.

The last chance came five minutes into injury time when Edwards-John went on a dazzling run only for his shot to find the arms of the keeper.

Melton will be disappointed not have gained all three points from the match with just three games left of the season.

They have a trip to local rivals Harrowby on Saturday with a chance to get their first win since mid-February.