Harrowby United lose to Clipstone in the United Counties League

Harrowby were edged out in a topsy-turvy tussle with fellow high-flyers Clipstone on Saturday.

The Arrows went down to a 4-3 defeat against their second-placed hosts in the United Counties League Division One clash.

Jamie McGhee's side had made the trip looking to bounce back after last week's home draw with Blackstones who secured a share of the spoils after a late leveller, writes Mark Fardell

They were missing Lord Marfo and Lewis Marsh and the Arrows made a dreadful start to the game.

Goalkeeper Richard Stainsby made a superb save in the opening minute but moments later Clipstone took the lead as a cross was met by a free header from Gareth Curtis.

Calamity in the visiting defence then presented Clipstone with a second goal as a short back pass was intercepted by Tim Gregory who rounded Stainsby to slot home.

A long afternoon looked on the cards for the Arrows but, to their credit, they came storming back with Jack Gurney the architect of most of the good play.

They halved the deficit after 19 minutes when top scorer Harry Allcock slotted home after Gurney's shot had been well saved.

Harrowby were then level three minutes later when Gurney's cross was met by a towering header from Jack Arbon.

A crazy first half then saw Harrowby hit the front after just 25 minutes when Allcock scored again with a good left-footed finish.

Allcock had a good chance to make it four before the interval but the home keeper saved well.

Harrowby were missing Gurney in the second half after he was forced off following a bad-looking challenge.

And Clipstone came out on the front with Harrowby struggling to get out of their own half in the early stages.

Just when they looked to have weathered the Clipstone storm, Will Heather's cross from the right looped over Stainsby to give the home side the equaliser.

Clipstone's tails were now up and they looked likely to get the winner with Harrowby suffering another injury setback when Arbon went off.

With 11 minutes remaining, Clipstone regained the lead as Gregory's shot took a deflection to beat Stainsby for what would prove to be the winner.

As much as the Arrows tried to get back into the match, Clipstone's game management was spot on and they saw the match out well to take the win.

The reversal drops Harrowby down to fifth place, the final play-off spot, as they now have to pick themselves up for back-to-back home games.

They host Southwell City on Saturday before entertaining West Bridgford next Tuesday (January 16).