A late goal in a tight game ended the Gingerbreads FA Cup journey for the season. After a goalless first half, the game seemed to be heading for a replay until one of the few second half chances for the visitors was converted with only three minutes left in the game.

“It’s really gutting to get back ion to the game the way we did and then not manage the game very well and let them nick it at the end.” Said Grantham Manager Mitch Griffiths. “I set up solid and we defended really well throughout the game. We gave away chances through lack of concentration and we need to work on that. We missed our front two, but the better team won today.”

Grantham were without Mason Lee and Cam Johnson, so had to reorganise up front with Josh Moreman and Seb Robbemond taking on the striking duties. In the early exchanges, Newark played a lot of long passes aimed for former Gingerbread Ryan Rushen, but the Grantham defence led by Nathan Stainfield held firm. Jack Steggles had little to do apart from gathering a low cross from Charles Opoku after 17 minutes when Rushen found space on the Grantham right.

Neither side created clear chances until the half hour mark when Grantham suddenly opened up the Newark defence. Moreman robbed Martin Tudosa just inside the Newark and ran on unchallenged to hit a low shot that Scott Loach saved well with his feet.

Two minutes later Moreman was involved again when a low free kick into the near post was met by Stainfield. His effort looked goal bound, but Loach bundled it round the post for a corner.

Both defences remained on top for the reminder of the first half. An injury to Sam Ezenwnaka let to a half time change with Elliott Riches coming on and almost had an immediate impact. In the fourth minute of the second half, he was played in and looked to be held back, but nothing was given by Mr Mills and Newark cleared their lines.

A minute later, the visitors were in front. Another former Gingerbread, Brad McGregor fired a low cross in the Grantham penalty area. It was allowed to run through to the far post where Matteo Perkins had an easy task to tap it into the net.

Grantham fought back with Riches involved in chances as his direct running caused the Newark defence problems. Two minutes after the Newark goal, he got on the end of a throw-inside the penalty area but hooked his shot just wide of the angle of post and crossbar.

After an hour, Riches was put through with only Loach to beat. Once in the penalty area, however, he chose to square the ball rather than take a shot, but no-one in black and white could get on the end of the cross.

Riches won Grantham a penalty on 67 minutes. Michael Jacklin played a ball forward for him that Loach came for and won, but only by going through the Grantham player. Mr Mills had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, despite protests from the Newark Town team. Seb Robbemond stepped up and confidently sent Loach the wrong way to level scores.

Twice in quick succession a few minutes later, Riches was instrumental in chances for the Gingerbreads. On the left, he played a lovely pass inside to Sam Edgington, but from 18 yards out he rolled his shot the wrong side of the post. Shortly after, Riches played a neat chip into the danger zone, but Robbemonds header was also off target.

As Grantham continued to look the more likely side to snatch a winner, Stainfield flicked on a throw for Andrew Irvine, but his shot was blocked to avert the danger.

Rushen only got into the game for Newark in the last few minutes, but that proved decisive. Five minutes from time he got across the Grantham defence to meet a cross from McGregor but headed wide. Two minutes later, a long punt forward from the Newark defence saw Rushen get beyond Jacklin and close in on the Grantham goal. He looked up before shooting and chose to square the ball for Louis Czerwak who had an empty net to slide in the winning goal.

Reporter: Graham Cowell