Grantham Town draw with Dunston in the Northern Premier League East Division

For the second time this season, the Gingerbreads came from behind to take a point from a high-flying Dunston side.

Craig Baxter's goal just past the hour mark had put the third-placed visitors in front in Tuesday's clash at the South Kesteven Stadium.

However, Louis Nicholson equalised to earn Grantham a share of the spoils with 11 minutes remaining in the Northern Premier League East Division clash, writes Graham Cowell.

With chances throughout the game for both sides, Grantham head coach Loius Bland was pleased with his team.

He said: "We had a game plan and stuck to it well.

"We know they have a lot of quality in their side, but we engaged high and I think we deserved a point in the end.

"It was a poor goal to concede from our point of view but the reaction was really good."

In a game played at a high tempo, Grantham started well.

A second minute corner flashed across the Dunston six-yard line before Ryan Rushen had a great chance to put the Gingerbreads in front three minutes later.

Sam Hooper played Rushen through the Dunston defence. The Gingerbreads striker held off his defender and beat Dunston goalkeeper Daniel Staples, but his shot crept wide of the post.

In an open game, Dunston settled and created chances of their own.

Jack Maskell fired their first effort over the top after 10 minutes before, a couple of minutes later, David Robinson held possession well before firing in a drive that Curtis Hall gathered at the second attempt.

The visitors continued to create the best chances.

Dale Pearson and Sado Djalo both hit shots straight at Hall from good positions while the Gingerbreads were only able to mount the odd counter attack. Elliott Walker burst into the Dunston penalty area from wide, but Staples took his effort at the near post.

Both sides had good chances to take the lead before the half hour mark.

A Dunston corner was played back in to the penalty area and fell to Djalo. He hit his shot well, but Hall made a good save to keep scores level.

Walker then beat the visitors defence on the right again and drove in a cross that just eluded a stretching Curtis Morrison in the six-yard box.

Late in the first half a mistake from Matt Doyle presented Pearson with a clear run on goal. He chipped his shot past Hall, but brilliant covering by Sisa Tuntulwana saw the Gingerbread clear from right on the far post.

The pattern of the first half was replicated after the break.

Grantham had the first chance early on when Morrison hit a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that was well saved by Staples.

Dunston then created chances for Maskell. He headed the first wide of the target, then the next straight at Hall.

Slack defending led to Dunston taking the lead on 61 minutes.

Grantham didn’t pick up the late run into the edge of the penalty area from Baxter. A simple pass from the flag kick picked him out with enough time to take a touch before firing across Hall into the net.

Grantham continued to compete well with their higher placed opponents.

Walker put in another cross that was just behind Rushen while Baxter did the same at the other end with Maskell just missing out.

Thirteen minutes from time, Grantham got themselves level.

A good move worked the ball wide to Harry wood. He played it back to Walker who stood up a cross to the far post. Nicholson won the dropping ball and, from close range, fired past Staples.

Seven minutes from time, Tuntulwana almost gave Grantham the lead. He hit a firm shot from the edge of the Dunston penalty area that needed a good save from Staples to turn around the post.

With eight minutes of added time played, it was the visitors who went closest. Jordan Lamb played the ball on for Maskell, but once again he fired over the top to leave what was probably a fair scoreline intact.