Three spot kicks missed as Melton Town return to action with victory at Wellingborough Whitworth

Melton Town left Wellingborough Whitworth with a 2-1 victory to remain a point behind UCL Division One leaders Long Buckby... in a game where the hosts failed to convert one of three spotkicks taken.

With the match taking place in tier two Northamptonshire, there was a large crowd enjoying a drink before the match whilst Melton's usual Pork Pie Army of travelling fans were banned.

This was Town's first game in nearly two months, but they didn’t show any signs of rustiness as they took the lead after just 100 seconds.

The ball was played down the line by Tom Manship to Munton, who beat the offside trap from his own half and, as Singlehurst came out of goal to close the angle, he slipped it past him to open the scoring.

Five minutes gone and a great in swinging corner from Manship was met by Beaver who smashed into the middle of the goal.

Another Manship corner found Dunn unmarked on the penalty spot but his low shot was palmed by Singlehurst who managed to dive onto the ball on the goal-line.

The game then became scrappy on a heavy pitch with both teams finding it hard to maintain possession.

Bucalossi stole the ball from Law and slotted a pass to Dunn, whose turn and low shot went inches wide of the post.

Whitworth's first effort came after Daldy danced past the defence on the left and sent in a low cross which found Bivens, whose tame shot was easily saved by Peet.

With 10 minutes left of the half it was nearly three for Melton when Harris made a great run down the line, beating two players, and his great cross found Munton unmarked in the area.

However, his cushioned header was touched onto the crossbar.

Then in the 41st minute the hosts got back into the game when a Bivens free kick on the edge of the area was floated over Peet to find the top corner.

The half ended with Gilchrist being sin binned.

This meant the first 10 minutes of the second half found Melton trying to keep possession until they could get back to 11 players.

Andrews and Judge combined for Whitworth with a shot going just over.

Whitworth were starting to exert more pressure and should have equalised when a Ncube corner was punched clear by Peet, only for Jones to send in a rasping shot which was tipped over the bar.

Minutes later and Bivens turned Gilchrist only to see his shot shave the crossbar.

Harris and Beaver played a one two on the edge of the area with Harris cutting in and firing in a shot which went just over.

With 20 minutes left Hammond beat the offside trap and found himself one on one with the keeper, but his final shot went just wide of the post.

Peet came out to another Whitworth attack which saw Bivens rounding the keeper and playing the ball back to Judge his low drive was beautifully saved on the line by Melton's keeper.

Then with just five minutes to go an amazing sequence of events occurred.

The ball was played into the Melton box which saw Gilchrist and Daldy challenge.

The Melton player was adjudged to foul the Whitworth winger and a penalty was awarded.

Bivens' spot kick was saved by a diving Peet but the rebound saw Gilchrist and Brittain challenging for the ball and - again - the referee pointed to the spot.

This time Judge stepped up, and again a diving Peet palmed the ball around the post.

The linesman then called over the ref and claimed the keeper was off his line.

The retaken penalty was taken by Daldy who, trying too hard to beat Peet, missed the goal completely.

This was a physical game played on a heavy pitch and whilst it was probably not Melton's best performance this season it was certainly one of their hardest fought and much deserved.

They showed why they are promotion contenders this year and now have a trip to Birstall on Tuesday, where a draw would put them top of the table.