For the second week in a row, a last-minute winner gave Elston United a deserved win. This time the points were earned against promotion rivals Gedling Southbank. Going into the game both teams shared the same record of 28 points from 11 games, but Rui Thacker’s late strike moved The Clams to joint top spot alongside Notts Olympic, but with three games in hand.

The game itself, played on a relatively tight pitch with a strong cross-wind, was a tight, physical encounter with chances at a premium. After 10 minutes, a shot by Barney Repper fell to James Clarke but he was unable to convert the opportunity. Ten minutes later a Gedling cross from the right eluded the Elston defence and the Gedling striker struck the ball first-time into the Elston goal. The goal put Elston on the back foot a little, but, bit by bit, the team began to play their way into the game. In the last 10 minutes of the half, both James Scott and Will Veys had half-chances to score, but at the interval Gedling still led 1-0.

Elston dominated possession in the second half, and the defence led by Toby Craven limited Gedling to few chances, which keeper Brad Musgrave dealt with effectively. Gedling also defended robustly, blocking close-range shots from James Scott and Will Veys. After 60 minutes Martin Scott, the Elston manager, made two substitutions, bringing on Rui Thacker and Harry Scott for James Clarke and Barney Repper, and both would make a big impact on the game. In the 70th minute, the ball fell to Harry Scott 25-yards from goal, and he struck an unstoppable low drive into the bottom corner of the Gedling goal to level the scores.

By now passions were running high and with 15 minutes remaining a Gedling player was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent. In the final minute of normal time Elston made their player advantage count. Tom Hazelwood, Elston’s left-back, drove down the left wing, evading two reckless Gedling challenges, and his cross from the by-line was volleyed home at the far post by Rui Thacker to give Elston the victory and to spark early Christmas celebrations for The Clams.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Archie Dillon, Toby Craven, Sam Lloyd, Tom Hazelwood, Louis Cross, Joe Wroughton, Barney Repper (Harry Scott 60), James Scott, Will Veys (Teddy Furman 80), James Clarke (Rui Thacker 60). Subs not used: Curtis French, Sam Adcock.