and their first away league win in 20 months continues after goals each side of half time took the game away from Grantham at Mickleover. A good forty minutes before the opening goal left manager Martin McIntosh frustrated at the final whistle.

“For that first period, we were the better side.” McIntosh said. “When you are on top like that, you have to score and we are not capitalising on those areas at the moment. When the ball changes hands, we’re looking vulnerable and that’s what happened late in the first half. We lost the ball, two passes and were were trailing.”

The Gingerbreads could have opened the scoring in the second minute as they pressed Mickleover high up the pitch, won the ball with sharp challenges and out pressure on the home defence. Alistair Taylor’s cross was perfect for Ash Worsfold. His downward header was heading just inside the post, but Mickleover goalkeeper Callum Hawkins got down quickly to make a good save.

Grantham were in a dogged determined mood, but Mickleover kept them at bay, led at the back by former Gingerbread Phil Watt. The home side began to play good football of their own as a good battle developed. Paddy Webb almost got away from Ryan Holland after 13 minutes, but the Grantham defender recovered well to snuff out the danger.

Mid way through the half, both sides created half chances, but couldn’t find the right final ball. Jack Stobbs and Taylor combined for Grantham and put a low cross into the penalty area after 25 minutes, but Ben Turner couldn’t bring the ball under control. Six minutes later when Grantham broke, Stobbs played a pass that was just too long for Taylor to get on the end of.

Immediately after that, Mickleover showed how they could beat the Gingerbreads defence. Quick passing saw George Milner set up Stuart Beavon. Beavon curled an effort just wide of the mark from just outside the penalty area.

Five minutes before the break, Beavon made no mistake. Andrew Wright played a ball into his feet and Beavon made two quick moves to make space for himself and hit a low drive just inside Jan Budtz right hand post.

The game was all but won by the hosts six minutes after the break. The Gingerbreads had won two consecutive corners. From the first, Tom Wards header was deflected wide. From the second, Mickleover broke quickly, Kemy Augustien played in Beavon who hooked the ball on first time for Declan Bacon. Bacon had space to run straight at the Grantham goal and made no mistake with his shot to make it 2-0 to Mickleover.

The Gingerbreads heads began to drop and Mickleover controlled the game from that point on. Despite putting on both Liam Hardy and Remaye Campbell, Grantham couldn’t create clear chances. The closest they came was a low cross by Campbell after 70 minutes after a quick free kick by Brad Abbott. Watt made a desperate challenge to clear the ball and the danger.

The Gingerbreads frustration was evident as the game went into the last 10 minutes. Ben Middleton gave away a penalty with a clear pull on Josh Setchwell’s shirt. Webb drilled the spot kick down the centre of Budtz’ goal. Mickleover could have had a second penalty three minutes from time, claiming a foul when Ward slid in inside the box, Mr Robinson giving nothing this time.

Pablo Mills drove a free kick just wide and Budtz saved well in injury time from Beavon as Grantham finished the game under pressure and recorded their fourth game in the last five without a goal.