Newark Town rescue point with unlikely revival

A resilient second-half performance saw Newark Town come from behind to gain a point in a bottom-of-the-table clash, despite losing their keeper to injury.

The result left them level on points with the visitors, but with an inferior goal difference as they look to move off the bottom of the Central Midlands League North.

They gave a debut to right back James Handley and had two further new names in the defence — Jack Barnes and Joshua King.

Two long-range shots from Thomas Johnson were easily fielded by the Welbeck keeper as the contest started evenly.

The visitors took the lead with their first attack in the 15th minute, when a free-kick on the right was met by Rob Holland, who rose unopposed to head past Luke Sheldon.

They doubled the advantage four minutes later when indecision in Newark’s defence allowed Dean Isaacs to fire in from just inside the area.

With 23 minutes played, Newark’s first-half went from bad to worse when keeper Sheldon sustained a leg injury and was forced off.

He was replaced by substitute Josh Johnson, usually an outfield player.

Despite the early chances, Newark posed little threat in the first-half, although a Handley shot cleared the bar.

Just before half-time Callum Ranyard played in Rafael Oliveira, but his shot was deflected just past the post.

Newark came out with more purpose after half-time and reduced the deficit following a spell of pressure.

Kyle Nicholson, who again led the team by example, put in a determined run before sending a lofted cross-field ball to Ranyard.

The winger brought the ball down before beating Bradwell from an acute angle.

Ranyard had another fine shot on the turn before he deservedly levelled in the 74th minute.

Thomas Johnson was the provider, playing an incisive ball to Ranyard who finished clinically from a tight angle for a second time.

Newark looked more likely to steal the points, with Reece Carlisle having a point-blank effort brilliantly diverted over the bar.

Welbeck failed to test Johnson in Town’s goal, who kept a personal clean sheet.

The Blues will be hoping to move off the foot of the table when they travel to Bentley on Saturday.