After Wednesday’s disappointment of the injury time defeat against Retford, Rangers entertained league leaders Carlton Town at West Street . Winterton were still without key players Andy Holt, Steve Robinson and Dave Ricardo and Ross Haywood limped onto the bench. The big plus was the surprise signing of Paul Palmer from Bridlington.

Winterton were a bit slow out of the blocks and Carlton without leading scorer Phil Bignal forced a few corners inside the first five minutes and scored on 8 mins. When Danny Cane was allowed to strike from the edge that although straight at Ben Simpson dipped viciously before hitting the net. 0-1.

It was the kick that Winterton needed as Mark Whitehouse began to open his legs and look to stretch the Carlton defence, although Carlton still edged the play. On 28 mins Carlton could have doubled the lead when a cross from the left flashed across the face.

On 32 mins. Palmer fed Whitehouse who raced into the box and fired low, but Carton stopper Brearley saved well with his feet to deflect for a corner. The dead ball into the near post saw Palmer’s bullet header go inches wide. Two minutes later and Rob Northen chased down a channel ball before cutting inside his marker and into the box. His pass across the box to Palmer was laid back into the path of Underwood who shot wide.

As the half came to a close, Carlton asked questions around the Rangers box. First on 40mins when a corner to the far was headed down but Simpson grabbed the ball before any danger. For minutes later and a through ball saw Carlton ’s Steve Chaplin race through, rounding the onrushing Simpson but his fumbled shot was cleared away.

Then with the last attack of the half Rangers forced another great chance. Whitehouse made ground down the left before laying back to Dale; his first time cross into the box was flicked on by Northen to Palmer whose low drive forced another good save out of Brearley low to his left post.

HALF TIME 0-1

Pete Daniel made a change at half time; Youngster Scott Phillips was replaced by Andy Catton. Catton out to the right flank with Clarke slotting back into central midfield. The effect was immediate, Catton raced down the flank and fired in a low cross that was put into his own net by a Carlton defender. 1-1

Ranger’s confidence grew as they started to dominate. Carlton had a throw deep in Rangers territory that Winterton turned into an attack, Palmer and Northen linked well before Northen was sent racing into the box but his stretch to get a shot off didn’t have enough to beat Brearley.56mins.

Then on the hour Winterton took a deserved lead. A cross from the left had a Northen shot initially saved but Northen laid back the rebound to Danny Clarke whose low drive found the corner of the net. 2-1

Unfortunately rangers defence had looked shaky all game, dale was replaced by Haywood and on 66mins. Were stretched when Atkinson was beaten and Simpson exposed before Carl Westcarr fired home. 2-2

Winterton were undeterred and four minutes later were back in front. Catton mesmerised the right side of Carlton before crossing to Palmer at the far where he stooped to head home. 3-2 Rangers continued to attack. A corner on 73 mins to the far found Walmsley free but he couldn’t get over the ball and the chance had gone.

It looked as if it didn’t matter when on 75mins, Whitehouse’s long cross field pass to Northen turned defence into attack. Northen’s cross was half cleared to Clarke who again fired home from the edge. 4-2

With ten to go Carlton dispossessed Rangers deep in their own half, Westcarr got to the by-line before cross to Chaplin whose flicked header beat Simpson but also the far post.

On 82 Rangers won a free kick on the edge of the box but the dead ball was well over. A minute later a Piliero drive was easy for Simpson at his near post.

Then with three minutes to go Rangers imploded. A hopeful ball through had Atkinson racing back to his own goal for what looked like a header back for Simpson to collect, but the young Winterton keeper came racing out of his area attempting to head the ball clear. He clattered into Atkinson and as both lay sprawled on the pitch Chaplin walked the ball into the empty net. 4-3

A minute later a ball into the six yard box saw Simpson rooted to the spot and the Rangers defence unable to clear. As the ball bounced about Referee spotted Catton move the ball with his arm and a penalty was awarded. Chaplin beat Simpson who guessed the right way. 4-4

Then with a last gasp lump into the box that had the shell-shocked Simpson hesitant in coming before Carlton sub Michael Martin loop a header over the keeper and under the bar. 4-5

Fin al score 4-5