Hucknall Town produced a gutsy performance last night (Tuesday 4 January) to overcome local rivals Gedling Miners Welfare 3-1 at Plains Road despite playing for over half an hour with ten men.

A spectacular Craig Westcarr free kick put the visitors ahead at half time before Aaron Lamb doubled their advantage just a couple of minutes after the restart. A late Joe Butler goal made the points safe but not before goalkeeper Jake Pearson had conceded a penalty and been sent off which had given Gedling hope of salvaging something from the game.

Victory moved Hucknall up into fifth position, the final play-off spot in the Uhlsport United Counties League Division One.

The Yellows made just one change to the side that thrashed Holwell Sports 4-0 a week before Christmas with Cayne Maxwell replacing Michael Banister.

The game began in quite a cagey fashion with both teams showing each other plenty of respect in the opening exchanges.

Westcarr, who was lively throughout, was the first to test Matthew Simpson in the Gedling goal, letting fly from 25 yards but the 'keeper was equal to it and fielded the ball fairly comfortably.

Matthew Brian was the next to try his luck from distance but his shot drifted just wide of the target.

Half an hour in, Hucknall found a breakthrough. Great work from Joe Ashurst and Oliver Brown down the left drew a rash challenge from a Gedling defender right on the edge of the area. Westcarr placed the ball down and lashed the ball over the wall and into the top corner to give Hucknall the lead.

Gedling responded well and had a couple of chances of their own to level before the break.

Former Hucknall striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas showed good poise in the penalty area to create himself a yard of space with a clever turn before laying the ball off to Kyeron Daws only for a Hucknall defender to make a good block.

Niall Hylton, arguably Gedlng's brightest spark in the first half, sprinted down the right and put in an inch perfect low cross which found Daws in the six yard box. However, he shot straight at Pearson who gathered the ball comfortably.

This proved to be the last notable action of the first half and the teams trudged off separated by Westcarr's fine strike.

In what had been up to this point a tight game, it was clear that the next goal would be crucial.

Within three minutes of the restart Hucknall had the ball in the net. This time Westcarr was the architect, beating two men as he drove into the left hand side of the penalty area before producing an accurate cutback which Lamb turned into the net.

At this point Hucknall looked to be cruising to a routine victory but an hour in, goalkeeper Jake Pearson was penalised for dragging down Gedling forward Daws in the box. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation and sent Pearson off.

Town were without a recognised goalkeeper on the bench but Louis Kinnerley, who had played as a goalkeeper in his younger days, pulled on the gloves for the remainder of the game.

His first job saw him face Paolo Piliero's penalty. Gedling's winger kept his composure to send Kinnerley the wrong way and half the deficit.

However, Hucknall responded to the setback magnificently and gave Gedling little opportunity to draw level. They showed good resolve and organisation to stay compact and limit Gedling to just a handful of half chances.

Kinnerley was composed between the sticks and communicated well with his defenders to ensure that the lead was maintained.

With Gedling desperately trying to push for an equaliser they left more space at the back which the Hucknall attacking players were able to exploit.

Both Westcarr and Ashurst saw goalbound efforts blocked by last ditch challenges in the final ten minutes as The Yellows threatened to put the game beyond doubt.

As the game ticked into the final couple of minutes, Butler, on as a late substitute for Maxwell, grabbed Hucknall's third to secure the three points and move Hucknall into fifth position in the league and the final play-off spot.

As the full time whistle sounded, Hucknall players and fans who had made the six and a half mile journey, were jubilant after a victory full of character and discipline.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News after the game manager Andy Graves said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Obviously we've had the break as well. We had a great session Saturday morning, we worked on free kicks and then Westy put one in with it so that paid off on Saturday so that makes it even better. It was New Year's Day and they all came in which is credit to the lads for being dedicated.

"I'm delighted with the three points; we normally struggle against Gedling. I believe that pushes us into the right place (in the league table).

"The thing I'm pleased about is the mental side of it and the attitude, that was what was there today. We battled from start to finish. The tempo I thought was nearly a full 90 minutes which I've been asking for. The tempo's key for us as a side."