Winterton entered into this game without some key ingredients, namely both managers away on business and a growing injury list. With Captain Billy Green out after injuring his back prior to Wednesday’s draw at home to Gedling Town, and both Michael Banks and Gareth Sewell also injured, team selection was somewhat hampered.   Green and Chairman, Dave Crowder took the helm. Tom Spall, after an excellent display in midweek maintained his role as understudy to Green in centre back role. A debut was given to Jonny Fielding as well as games for Wheatley, Hider and Laud who have played only a handful of games between them.

On a bobbling pitch, Rangers although working hard were pushed back at times in the first half, by a robust Carlton side who looked to get the ball forward as quickly as possible to the big forwards in Bignall and Chaplin.  Paul Alderson and Tom Spall looked solid at the heart of defence, supported well by Dave Ricardo in his holding midfield role.

On 17 minutes Winterton were looking to mount their own attack when Carlton carved a quick opening with a through ball that Matt Hogg collected before racing towards the Rangers goal and firing home from the edge of the box with only Herrick to beat.  The home side nearly went two up when a corner to the near post was glanced goal-wards but Herrick reacted well to save.  Meanwhile, Rangers first strike on goal saw Alan Hider fire across the face of goal from just inside the 18-yard line.

Although most real chances were falling to Carlton, Rangers had started to pick up their game as they adjusted to the new players and by the half hour were starting to get beyond the home defence and on 37 minutes they were back on level terms.  Laud broke the offside trap and raced goal-wards before stepping back and feeding Jonny Fielding who’s pinpoint cross was met by a superb Rhys Pindar header for his tenth goal in 13 games.   Carlton responded straight away when they were given a free-kick 10 yards inside Rangers half.  The ensuing cross looked to be gathered by Herrick but he was heavily challenged and the ball fell loose, Mike Wheatley cleared the follow up shot off the line.

Rangers started the second half with the wind behind them and looked more confident after the goal at the end of the first half. Both sides were getting frustrated by a referee who insisted on making decisions from 40 yards away and with Rangers hustling the Carlton players as they tried to match their physical game, the match became a scrappy affair.   The home side will still be wondering how they didn’t go 2-1 up when good work on the right and a pinpoint cross to the far post found Steve Chaplin but he headed over from six yards with the goal gaping.

Winterton were far more involved in the second half with the midfield getting forward far more to support the front two.  Phil Doyle drove forward after some strong tackling from Ricardo and created an opening for Alan Hider to strike from 20 yards but the keeper gathered well to his left.   On 79 minutes the home side went back in front.  Striker Phil Bignall, who had looked lively all game, finally got past the new Rangers pairing of Hider and Fielding on the right, he stepped inside and curled a superb shot into the far corner.

Within 6 minutes Rangers were level once again.  Alan Hider won a throw parallel to the 18-yard line, which he quickly took himself to Pindar, who’s flicked header sat up nicely for the oncoming Vaz Nikolaidis to fire home a waist high strike inside the far post from the edge of the box. 

The home side were not happy.  They felt there had been a foul prior to the throw and to compound that the ball had come off Hider for what should have been a Carlton throw.  Danny Morgan said too much for the referee and was sent off for dissent.  Nevertheless, It was a useful point for Rangers against a difficult team.