Steve Smith again had to shuffle the pack with the absence of Chris Keel and Michael Banks affecting his choice of starting eleven. Smith went for a back three, with Spall sweeping behind the Green/Lindsey pairing, and a five-man midfield with Wilson returning to the side.

Deeping started well, keeping possession and testing Rangers flanks. So it came as a surprise to them when rangers won a free kick just inside the Deeping half, Lawton’s cross was cleared but only as far a Jamie Richards who showed strength to break into the box before pulling back to Dean Wilson who curled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 0-1.  Four minutes gone.

That was the best move of the half, Deeping were a very neat and tidy side, retaining possession much better than Winterton but didn’t force Leigh Herrick to make a save in the first half, Tom Spall was magnificent at the back winning every header and tackle, sweeping up well behind the centre halves.

Deeping did create a chance on 43mins when they finally got behind the stingy Rangers defence, only for Nichols to fire over.

SECOND HALF

The second half continued in the same vein, the home side pressing without really getting through the Rangers stout defence, resorting to shots from distance. Winterton improving as the half went on.

Just before the hour mark Rangers missed a great chance to extend their lead when a Long throw from McDonald found Exley who under pressure fed back to Ricardo, his first time short was blocked away by keeper Feetham to the feet of Chris McDonald who fired straight at the keeper from six yards out. Two minutes later Deeping almost responded when they were allowed to make headway down the right before a good cross-found Nichols who headed over.

Winterton missed the best chance of the game when on 66mins Dave Lawton threaded a pass through the Deeping defence onto the toe of the onrushing Chris McDonald but with only the keeper to beat he again shot straight at him. The rebound dropped to the feet of sub, Fordham but he couldn’t react quick enough to deflect the ball goal wards from close in.

The home side then created a good chance on 79mins. A free kick into the box became a scramble, but Rangers had enough bodies behind the ball to block out the attempt.

Rangers created the best chances of a game that Deeping probably edged possession, but a classy goal early on and then solid team defending away from home extended Rangers unbeaten run to five games. The stand out player was Tom Spall at the heart of the defence; he won every header and snuffed out any potential danger and turned defence into attack with some intelligent passing from the back.

FINAL SCORE 0-1