Grantham Town travel to face Coventry Sphinx in the Northern Premier League

Grantham Town will be aiming to turn deflation into elation as they return to Northern Premier League action tonight (Tuesday).

The Gingerbreads make the trip to Coventry Sphinx looking for their first Midlands Division victory since they defeated the Warwickshire side at the Meres in mid-October.

That barren run of results without a win looked like it could be ending at the weekend when Grantham travelled to relegation rivals Rugby Town.

A second half goal from Lewis Darlington put the Gingerbreads in front before the hosts were reduced to 10 men with 16 minutes remaining after Shay Willock was sent off.

However, there was a late sting in the tail for Grantham as Trey Charles struck an 88th minute equaliser to keep Grantham 10 points adrift of safety with just eight league games remaining.

Boss Nathan Arnold was left struggling to understand how his side had let the lead slip so late on in the crucial clash.

He said: "I can't really put it into words because, in all the time I've been involved in football, I don't think I've seen a last 10 minutes like that.

"We had grown into the game in the second half and were deservedly in front. We created some good chances but didn't take them.

"We still looked comfortable but we then did our very best to not win a football match. It's the only way I can explain it.

"We just self-sabotaged and I was absolutely gutted for the players and supporters because it was hard to take."

Grantham had changed their shape to face a Rugby side who they had shared the spoils with in a 1-1 draw at the Meres in November.

Arnold felt his side had grown into the game and had looked set to land the three points when Darlington gave them a 52th minute lead.

But they failed to add to their tally and Charles struck the equaliser with just two minutes of the match remaining at Butlin Road.

The Gingerbreads boss added: "We changed our formation because I felt it suited the profile of the players which we've got.

"It took us a while to settle in because it was a big turnaround and we threw the challenge at the players.

"Once we started to settle in possession and take control of the game, we grew into it and took over in the second half.

"We were in full control for large spells but we could have lost the game in the last seven or eight minutes because of our naivety and decision-making.

"We had the game in the palm of our hands but unfortunately the game management at the end has let us down. We couldn't see it out and it was a hard one to take."

Midweek hosts Coventry are seven points of the relegation zone despite a 2-0 away defeat at Worcester City on Saturday.