NCEL: Collier earns point for Knaresborough Town at leaders AFC Mansfield

A poor back pass in the first few seconds almost presented the home wide with a goal but Jack Rushworth managed to deny Dean Rick and saw Craig Mitchell’s lob fly over the top.

Will Lenehan’s 7th minute header was then headed off his own line by a Mansfield defender but it was the home outfit who took the lead in the 17th minute when a corner from the right was headed home by Chris Timons.

AFC Mansfield were on top at this stage and Mark Dudley’s free kick went over the bar and Phil Buxton shot wide.

Knaresborough rallied briefly with a Jonty Maullin volley being saved before Rushworth had to save well to deny Mitchell.

In added time, Nick Radcliffe headed narrowly wide from a Graham Whitehead free kick, but the chance of the equaliser came two minutes into the second period when Maullin was pushed in the area and Knaresborough were awarded a penalty.

Unfortunately, Whitehead’s kick was kept out by the legs of goalkeeper, Jason White to the delight of the home following.

‘Boro’ were on top for much of the second half, but it needed a good tip over from Rushworth to keep out a Ryan Williams shot to retain the side’s hopes for a point.

The reward duly arrived in the 79th minute when Gary Collier latched on to a ball deep in the home half. He moved forwards a few yards before smashing home a great shot which gave White no chance.

A late George Eustance shot, after he broke free of the back line, was tipped wide by White as Knaresborough kept pressing for a greater return, but the point signified a significant progress after two defeats to these opponents last season.

Neither Knaresborough team has a match this weekend but the first team is at home on Tuesday (November 3rd) to Bottesford Town at Manse Lane (Kick off 7.45 p.m.)