Badgers leave it late

Nostell began well, fashioning the first chance through Adam Knight who fired over the bar.

Jack Cross did well to make space on the United right, his ball in to the box was well weighted but there were no Retford shirts to make contact.

Liam Wilkin made a strong run on the left, his ball in was cleared for a corner by Jamie Ordy, the ball floated in by Cross was headed over the bar by Craig Fisher.

Retford pushed, Wilkin challenging the keeper after a back pass was played short, then Hadley saw an effort over.

Nostell had the ball into the Retford box twice, Ayden Duffy having to punch clear on both occasions.

Retford were finding it difficult to break down their opponents, Cross again made a run, this time starting from deep in his own half, the ball was played onto Hadley who, along with Cross and Wilkin found themselves in a three on one situation, the cross in was then too much for Wilkin and the ball went out of play.

Nostell had a period of pressure, Danny Critchlow made great strides into the Retford box, but Brett Lucas was able to make an excellent recovering challenge, then Graham Marchant’s shot on the turn was tame.

At the end of the first half, Retford won a free-kick in a dangerous position, Lucas finding Richard Medcalf who did well to control before laying off to Wilkin but his low effort was saved by Lee McGrath.

The second half got off to the worst possible start for Retford as within a minute of the restart, Nostell won a free-kick in a central position and Darren Rushton stepped up and curled the ball round the wall and into the top corner.

Retford wanted to get straight back into the game, Cross sent another ball into the box for Wilkin who rose to head just wide, then Gav Cooper had his header saved by McGrath.

Richardc Sennett made a double change with Bobby Johnson and Reece Thompson introduced at the expense of Kyle Hadley and Gav Cooper.

Johnson had only been on the pitch for a few seconds when he could have made an instant impact with a free-kick curled towards the top corner but the Nostell keeper got a hand to it.

Johnson’s ball into the run of Thompson led to a shot fired inches over the bar, then Thompson had another chance but the ball was struck wide.

Rob Sanderson came on in the 84th minute, his first contribution was to head the ball on target, but the keeper saved again.

In the final minute, a ball into the box found the replacement and he managed to get the ball past the keeper to equalise and rescue a point.

There was one final chance for Retford, but Sanderson’s flick on bobbled in front of goal and was cleared.

Retford go into the final game of the season on Saturday at Lincoln Moorlands looking for a top four finish and three points.