East Midlands Counties League: Holwell Sports pipped by South Normanton

But the good crowd at Welby Lane could not fault their side’s endeavour and effort with the result tough on the hosts.

Holwell began well with Liam Chapman delivering a good cross which keeper Mansfield did well to take, and there was more danger from a free-kick from the left, but Mark Tinsley and Hammond got in each other’s way.

Holwell maintained the pressure and when Tinsley turned his defender, he fed Graham Wells whose shot struck the angle of post and bar.

Normanton knew they were in for a game and tried to break from midfield, with Hammond twice doing well to block shots from Lee Fell.

The visitors’ first real chance fell to Luke Crosby, but his left-foot shot sailed over.

Chris Hibbitt went close with a header from Colton Cropper’s free-kick as Holwell held their own against their high-flying opponents.

Good cross-field passing from Hibbitt and Kieran Foster into the channels caused problems, and the hosts were again unlucky when a good move down the left saw Chapman and Tinsley combine to set up Foster whose finish was poor.

But the visitors ended the half the stronger as captain Roberts fired a free-kick over from a good position, and Jamie Witham produced a great save to deny McEvoy from 18 yards.

Normanton came out for the second half with a point to prove and looked dangerous.

Crosby missed an early chance before Holwell were relieved to see Roberts’ shot skim the bar.

Foster fired a half-chance over, but the visitors had a golden opportunity when a through ball found Bartley in space in the box, but Witham did brilliantly to turn his shot away.

The visitors found the all-important goal midway through the second half when Holwell failed to deal with a free-kick and allowed a cross which Crosby glanced in with his head.

The home side gave as good as they got up to full-time and despite the result, must be pleased with their performance.