Grantham Town lose to Wellingborough Town in the Northern Premier League

Acting manager Paul Rawden wants to improve the fitness levels of his Grantham Town players after the Gingerbreads suffered a late defeat at Wellingborough Town on Saturday.

Rawden's charges looked set to pick up a point from their trip to Northamptonshire in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division until Brett Solkhon struck in the final stages of the game.

Solkhon had already cancelled out Lewis Darlington's opener before netting an 89th minute winner to send Grantham to a third successive defeat.

They had conceded two goals late on in their away loss at Hinckley a fortnight ago with Grantham again falling away in the latter stages of Saturday's match at the Dog and Duck.

Rawden said: "It's evident for everyone to see that the fitness levels at the football club just aren't quite there.

"We start getting tired after 60 or 70 minutes. The clearances get shorter and we're having to defend for longer periods.

"Wellingborough gambled and applied the pressure and they were worthy winners."

The Doughboys had twice gone close in the opening exchanges with Solkhon heading straight at Grantham goalkeeper Curtis Hall who was then equal to Danny Draper's shot from distance.

Grantham then broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark when a pinpoint cross from Max Cook saw Lewis Darlington get in front of his marker to turn home the opening goal.

However, the Gingerbreads were pegged back two minutes before the break when they half-cleared a free-kick which was returned to the back post where Solkhon converted to level the contest.

Jack O'Connor headed a good chance over the bar for the hosts after the break while a series of important saves from Hall kept Grantham on level terms as Wellingborough cranked up the pressure.

Their dominance eventually paid off with a minute of normal time remaining as Tom Iaciofano found Neo Richard-Noel whose low cross was converted by Solkhon.

Grantham's woes were then further compounded when Sam Muggleton - who had only just returned to the starting line-up following a suspension - was sent off after collecting a second caution.

The defeat keeps Grantham at the foot of the table, four points adrift of safety, with Rawden remaining upbeat.

He added: "I thought we were really good in the first half and it was one of the better halves that we've had.

"We were aggressive, good in possession and it was everything that you wanted to see.

"The physicality and fitness levels are a big part of football though and that's what we have to improve.

"We have to stay positive because I don't think that we're a million miles away from where we want to be."

Grantham have a home match with AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday with Rawden looking to bolster his squad.

He commented: "We've had some really good training sessions which the players are enjoying but we are catching up in terms of fitness which is the biggest thing.

"Hopefully we can get one or two players through the door before the weekend as well which will help.

"We've got a lot of similar players so, when you want to change a game of football, it's incredibly difficult with what we've currently got.

"We need a little bit of freshness in there to help."

Grantham Town Supporters Club Lottery winners: £200 Dave Rawding, £10 S Charles, James Hart, Ian Shaw.