Added Oct 8th 2007 -

Rothwell Town 1 - 2 Sittingbourne

FA Trophy Preliminary Round

Followong last Thursday's discovery of sabotage to the floodlights at Cecil Street, which could cost as much as £30,000, a long run in the FA Trophy would have brought in some much needed income for Rothwell Town.

The Bones did give Sittingbourne a good run for their money. But it was not to be.

Rothwell had a narrow escape after just 15 minutes when a shot from Bradley Spice hit the underside of the bar but referee Mr Mackay adjudged that the ball did not cross the line when it bounced down.

The Bones took the lead after the break when Kevin Byrne fired in a cross from Mickey Tolton. And Steve Purton almost doubled their tally two minutes later but shot inches over from 25 yards.

Just after the hour mark a needless free-kick given away on the right by Ben Greasley saw the visitors get back on level terms. Ian Varley, completely unmarked in the middle, headed home the equaliser.

And it did not take long for the visitors to score again and take the lead, when Kieran Marsh side-footed home.

The last 15 minutes belonged to Rothwell, but despite a host of chances they failed find the back of the net. Fazel Koriya somehow put the ball over the bar from three yards out with no-one in front of him.

Byrne had a headed effort finger-tipped onto the bar by a scrambling Williams, and the hosts should have been awarded a penalty when Byrne had his legs taken away from under him.

Rothwell now face a battle to get their lights fixed in time for Friday's rearranged fixture against Leamington at Cecil Street.

Thanks to the Evening Telegraph.

Rothwell: Smith, Tolton, Purton (sub Koriya, 74 mins), Rice, Sturgess, Greasley, Boyle-Chong, Flannigan, Byrne, Sneddon (sub Challinor, 68 mins), Stead. Subs not used: Bridgeford, Prowse.

Sittingbourne: Williams, Varley, Dowley, Ainsworth, T Ashmore, Marsh (sub Norris, 85 mins), Hefner, Knowles, Spice, Vahid, Shearwood. Subs not used: Gregory, Richmond, Campbell, B Ashmore.

Referee: Mr Mackay

Goals: Byrne (58 mins, 1-0), Varley (62 mins, 1-1), Marsh (68 mins, 1-2)

Bookings: Sneddon, Tolton (fouls)

Attendance: 103

Chairman's man of the match: Paul Rice (a decent performance at the heart of the defence)

Match rating: 7