Birthday boy Grayson bags injury-time winner for Buxton

Birthday boy Bradley Grayson netted an injury-time penalty to snatch a dramatic victory for title-chasing Buxton in their first match of 2017.
Buxton striker Bradley Grayson, who kept his cool to convert a 94th minute penalty for the only goal of the game against Mickleover Sports.Buxton striker Bradley Grayson, who kept his cool to convert a 94th minute penalty for the only goal of the game against Mickleover Sports.
Buxton striker Bradley Grayson, who kept his cool to convert a 94th minute penalty for the only goal of the game against Mickleover Sports.

In front of a crowd of 364 at the Silverlands, Buxton were heading for a disappointing goalless draw against Mickleover Sports. But just as time was running out, substitute Nicky Walker surged into the area and was brought down by the visitors’ player/manager John McGrath.

Up stepped Grayson to hammer the spot-kick high into the roof of the net and seal a 1-0 victory that kept The Bucks third in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, Premier Division table, just three points behind leaders Rushall Olympic. The win also stretched their unbeaten home league record this term to 12 matches and completed a league double over Mickleover, whom they beat back in August with their best away performance to date.

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Buxton played some pulsating, flowing football that day, but this encounter was in stark contrast, yielding very few chances in near freezing conditions.

Although boosted by the return of centre-backs Greg Young and Danny Burns from the side beaten at Matlock Town, the hosts struggled to break down a well-organised Mickleover rearguard. Alastair Taylor was a threat, but most of the first half was a non-event.

Manager Martin McIntosh responded by sending on Walker at half-time and, with added pace in the forward-line, the Bucks suddenly found their feet. A period of sustained pressure led to a shot from on-loan Lincoln City midfielder Kegan Everington being blocked, but it was still the 74th minute before visiting ‘keeper Jake Eastwood was forced into a save of note as he tipped over a shot by Grayson.

Ten minutes later, Walker was unlucky with a drive after good work down the left flank by Everington, so there were huge sighs of relief all round when the last-gasp breakthrough arrived.

BUXTON LINE-UP -- Budtz/ Morrison (Walker 45), Green, Ravenhill, Burns, Young, Doran (Hasler-Cregg 71), Everington, Grayson, Bembo-Leta J., Taylor. SUBS NOT USED: Jackson, Williams, Jameson.

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