Garforth 2 Handsworth 1

There was only one change to the side that won at Sherwood at the weekend, James Burgess replacing Hass Gorji.

Defender Jamie Barkway came close for Town early on from a corner; his header going just wide. Charlie Marshall then saw a shot saved by Handsworth 'keeper Ben Townsend, before Rinor Ejupi too was denied, his fierce drive stinging Townsend's palms. The visitors posed a threat on the counter however, with Toby Wells called into action to save from James Eyles when he got on the end of Richard Tootle's cross. On 28 mins Rikki Paylor who, as it happens, saw red in the abandoned fixture between the two sides in December, gave The Ambers the lead by volleying into the net from close range Leon Howarth's delivery. Undaunted, The Miners continued to attack. An excellent move involving James Burgess and captain Dan Coupland ended in another save from Townsend, then there was a good chance for the visitors to double their lead, Wells denying Howarth.

The second half was for long periods a frustrating one for home supporters, as Town enjoyed much of the play, but against a side sitting deep and packing out the eighteen-yard box, struggled to find a way through and when they did, the finish let them down.

Ejupi saw a low shot pushed wide on 58 mins, then on 74 mins a counter-attack down the right saw Howarth force another good stop from Wells. Substitute Hass Gorji was unlucky when his shot was somehow kept out by defender Liam McFadyen in the six yard box. Lee Turner likewise saw an effort blocked when teed up by sub Helmo Silva, as it started to look like one of those nights.

We were rewarded for our determination however with just one minute to go. Gorji did well to win the ball back and supply Burgess on the edge of the box and, despite seeming to mis-control it, sent a low strike into the bottom corner of the net to level the scoring. In the circumstances a point would've been a good result, but Handsworth timewasting throughout the half resulted in five minutes of injury time, giving The Miners their chance for a late winner. And it was one we grabbed with both hands deep into the additional period. An attack from the right was cleared out of the box, but only as far as Joe Colley. Colley headed back in for Burgess to score the winner with a sublime overhead kick beyond the despairing dive of Townsend, and spark euphoric celebrations not seen at the Bannister Prentice Stadium for many a year. He's done it before this season of course, but to pull it off in such circumstances takes some doing. Four goals in two matches now since his return, bringing his season total to eighteen. A win which narrows the gap between ourselves and Eccleshill to two points, our Bradford neighbours having two games in hand.

The Miners hit the M1 once again this Saturday, when we visit Staveley (kick-off 3pm).