Bassetlaw derby stalemate as Badgers go close to late winner

The Badgers were without several players, so into the squad came Richard Medcalf, Jack Johnson, Jake Armitage and 16-year-old Connell Tunnard.

An early chance for the hosts saw a corner struck on the volley by Gav Cooper, the Parramore keeper parrying the effort.

Andy Walkden moved from defence into attack and shot over, then Bobby Johnson sent a free-kick onto the head of Cooper who headed over.

Ex Badger Lee Whittington sent a ball across the Retford area, but Johnson was able to clear.

As the first half came to a close Lee Holmes, formerly of Parramore, should have found the net but for the heroics of Steve Hernandez in the visiting goal, blocking the bullet header.

In the second half Craig Aspinall had a shot blocked, and Reece Thompson suffered the same fate.

Tunnard entered the fray with 10 minutes remaining, linking up well with Thompson twice in quick succession, but Parramore defended well.

Holmes almost sealed a dramatic late winner, hitting the post after going clean through, but it ended 0-0.

Positives for Retford were the debuts of Tunnard and Armitage, who are hoping to progress from the club’s Under 19s to the senior side.

United now prepare to face Heanor Town away on Saturday 14th September, before another trip down the M1 the following Tuesday to visit Long Eaton United.

Badgers have confirmed that Fifth Avenue are their new away shirt sponsors for 2013/14, and a new orange kit will be unveiled on Saturday.