Harrowby United beat Shirebrook in the United Counties League

There was penalty drama for Harrowby United in their United Counties League victory over Shirebrook on Saturday.

The Arrows were awarded three spot kicks in the Premier Division North clash at the JRL Brickwork Stadium.

Elliot King saw a first half penalty saved before Harrison Dee took over the spot kick duties in the second period.

Dee scored his first penalty to give Harrowby a 2-1 lead after King's opening goal had been cancelled out by Oliver Fearon's equaliser.

Harrowby could have increased their advantage when Dee stepped up to take their third penalty but he rattled the crossbar.

The Arrows though were able to see out the game for three vital points which moved them up into 10th spot in their first season back at step five of the non-league pyramid.

The hosts had gone into the game on a heavy pitch looking to make it three matches unbeaten after a win over Wisbech had been followed by a home draw with Hucknall last weekend.

Lowly Shirebrook arrived looking for points to keep them out of the relegation places, so a tough battle looked on the cards.

The Arrows welcomed back skipper Kemal Yeniberitz and striker Harry Allcock.

King came into the starting line-up with Richard Kankam and David Kolapo injured while Lord Marfo was on the substitutes' bench.

Harrowby looked set to get a dream start when Allcock got free of the defence only to be brought down by the keeper for a penalty.

King stepped up but the Shirebrook custodian went the right way to keep the scores level.

Shirebrook then had a great chance to take the lead when a free header was put over the bar.

A battle then commenced and the next chance was Harrowby's as Allcock and Tom Harris linked up well only for the latter to shoot wide when through on goal as the first half finished goalless.

Harrowby started the second half on top as they took the game to Shirebrook.

After a couple of good chances, they took the lead when a corner swung in by Jack Gurney wasn't defended properly and King put his effort wide of the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

This seemed to settle the Arrows down and they should have put the game out of reach through Scott Floyd and substitute Issa Gaye who both had good chances.

The hosts were then made to pay for their missed opportunities when the dangerous Fearon capitalised on a mistake in the Arrows defence to fire home past goalkeeper Alex Smith.

Harrowby made a couple of changes with Marfo and Zac Hill joining Gaye whose direct approach and speed changed the game in the Arrows' favour.

Gaye was brought down for Harrowby's second penalty and Dee stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way to give the home side the lead.

Marfo then linked well with Gaye who was again felled in the penalty area but Dee this time hit the crossbar with his spot kick.

New signing Harvey Graves, who has joined from Lincoln United, came on with 10 minutes to go to help Harrowby secure the win.

It was a good victory for the Arrows but manager Jamie McGhee, although happy with the three points, was disappointed with the chances his side missed which should have seen them more comfortable in the game.

They now head to league leaders Eastwood on Saturday with the Red Badgers having won 8-1 in the first meeting of the season.

The scheduled midweek match on Tuesday night with Lincoln United was postponed due to the ongoing floodlight problems at the JRL Brickwork Stadium.