Harrowby United beat Rainworth Miners Welfare in the United Counties League

Harrowby continued their play-off quest with a vital two-goal home success against Rainworth Miners Welfare on Saturday.

Second half goals from Harry Allcock and Bradley Gothard secured the win to keep the Arrows in fourth spot in Division One of the United Counties League.

There was another good crowd for the match at the JRL Stadium which has been a feature of the home games this season, writes Mark Fardell.

The Arrows were missing a number of players in skipper Jack Gurney, Max Baker, Luke Peberdy and Kemal Yeniberitz which saw Kyle Reek, Tom Harris and Mathias Amponsem come into the starting line-up.

Harrowby were well off the pace in the first half with visitors Rainworth looking the more likely to score and a couple of dangerous crosses presented them with good headed chances.

Lord Marfo had the Arrows' first real chance but the ball was cleared off the line.

Rainworth belied their lower league position and would be disappointed to not be leading at half-time.

Jack Arbon replaced the injured Reek after 30 minutes and this seemed to give Harrowby more energy as a disappointing first half finished goalless.

They were given a stern half-time team talk by manager Jamie McGhee and Harrowby were a different proposition in the second half.

They started to push their visitors deeper as chances were now being created with Rainworth also being reduced to 10 men after Sam Allcock was sent off for a second caution.

Harrowby took the lead a minute later as top scorer Allcock made room in the box and planted his left foot shot in off the far post to the relief of everybody.

The Arrows were then forced into further changes as Taylor Gray came on for the injured Lewis Marsh while Brima Daramy replaced Harris.

The win was sealed with six minutes remaining as Jon Smith was fouled and Allcock rattled the bar with the resultant free-kick for Gothard to follow up and head home the rebound.

The Arrows saw the game out well after that for an important three points but will have to improve as promotion-chasing Blackstones make the trip to the JRL Stadium on Saturday.

Harrowby's match at West Bridgford on Boxing Day was postponed after the pitch failed an inspection.