DMW March 25, 2000

SEVEN goals, plenty of chances, no bookings - sounds like the ideal promotional video for non-League football.

Wrong! If I tell you that the best bit of defending was Steve Ulfig's goal-line clearance midway through the second half, then you'll gather that both back lines should hang their heads in shame.

Concentration lapses apart, Steve Daley's side were well worth their 3-2 interval lead but lost the plot in the second period to hand their visitors maximum points.

Twice they had rallied from a goal down and Mark Benbow's 42nd minute goal was richly deserved. Graham Taylor's famous comment of 'half time came too early' was never more apt.

Unbeaten in four league games, Gresley were quickly into their stride, Dave Kearns supplying the seventh minute corner for centre half Matt Warren to blast home unmarked at the back post.

Rovers fans didn't have to wait long for a reply. John Humphreys' left wing corner on 13 minutes eventually arrived at Peter Sutton, whose close range effort crossed the line despite a desperate reach from visiting 'keeper Ian Wright.

Four minutes later, an enthralling game swung Gresley's way once more. Mark Bowater inadvertently nodded Wright's mighty clearance into the path of bulky striker Kevin Allsop, who galloped goalwards before beating Nore Gabbidon with a 20 yard cracker.

Anything you can do... Forget the quality, feel the warmth of a 27th minute equaliser. Warren dilly-dallied at Humphreys' long throw, allowing Sutton to take his season's tally into double figures.

Now the ball was well and truly in Rovers' court. Wright kept out Ryan Daley's header and Benbow failed to match Andy Biddle's lovely low cross with an easy finish.

Three minutes before the break, however, the ex-Hereford United man made up for his earlier gaffe with a straightforward shot from Sutton's cross to the back post.

The second half was an anti-climax. The best Rovers could offer was Biddle's long range effort well saved by Wright, but by then Gresley were in front.

Two goals in five minutes settled it. Dave King bagged the first on 61 minutes after more casual defending and another left wing burst from Graham Fowkes set up Allsop's second of the afternoon.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Townsend, Ulfig, Davies (sub Brown 80), Bowater, Jinks, Humphreys, Benbow, Sutton, Daley, Biddle.

Subs (unused): Ashley, Turpin.

Attendance: 542. Rovers man of the match: Peter Sutton.