> 16.2.2008

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Hednesford chalked up their first win at home since October with a late, late show against Prescot Cables at Keys Park this afternoon. There was a debut for new signing Liam McDonald on the left wing, with Chad Sheppard dropped to the bench following his reaction to being substituted at Marine on Tuesday night

It could not have started worse for the Pitmen, as they were reduced to ten men within the first five minutes. Rob Davies, making his home debut, flew into a challenge with Shaun Gray with his studs up, two-footed. the referee had little alternative but to send the Welsh Under-21 International off, with no-one in the ground arguing

However, it was arguably the only decision the referee got right all game, as he bemused all inside Keys Park with a string of highly dubious calls as the game progressed

Despite being reduced in numbers, Hednesford rallied, and created a host of chances. Wayne Dyer was denied by Prescot keeper Zak Hibbert, before new boy McDonald tricked his way into the area and fired over

Rory May continued to dominate UniBond defences, with Prescot going the same way as Lincoln and Marine. The giant striker's presence found the ball drift in to his path just after the half hour, but his header just fell wide of goal. Ross Dyer also went close two minutes later with a header that drifted over the bar

Despite being down to ten men, half time probably came at the wrong time for the Pitmen, as their momentum was cut short by the break. It allowed Prescot to change their tactics, and they took the lead nine minutes into the second half. A great ball through the centre of the Hednesford defence allowed Darren Byers a clear run on goal, before firing past the exposed Ben Scott

Byers went close just two minutes later, just missing the target with a scuffed effort. You began to wonder if it was going to be one of those days for the home side

The referee, having a hapless game, levelled up the numbers just before the hour mark by showing Prescot's Eamonn Price a second yellow card for deliberate handball in the Pitmen's penalty area

This decision seemed to visibly lift the hosts, and they got back on level terms eight minutes later after a spell of pressure. Sam Hall, having an excellent game at right back, found Rory May with a throw to the near post, whose back-header lopped over Hibbert and dropped in the far corner of the net

With Byers guilty of another glaring miss inside the Pitmen's six-yard box, the tide seemed to be turning in the Pitmen's favour as the game entered the final ten minutes. Wayne Dyer could have scored, but for a deflection away from goal, closely followed by a similar effort by substitute David Brown

the Pitmen peppered the Prescot goal with efforts late on, with Ross Dyer, May and McDonald all failing to find a way through. It was left to captain Wayne Dyer to settle matters with two minutes to go, collecting a half-cleared ball to lash home a low shot past Hibbert to claim the first double of the season for the Pitmen  cds

Worksop Town (H) 

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Action from Keys Park:  1. ouch! Rob Davies' tackle earns him a straight red card    2. scorer Wayne Dyer takes on two Prescot players   3. goalscorer Rory May is closely watched by the Prescot defence

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