Retford roared out of the blocks and as early as the first minute, beat the Grantham defence on the right. The cross was left for Ryan Hindley, but he blazed his shot over the crossbar.

The home side continued to force the pace. Paul Grimes hit a shot straight at Nick Conroy, then after 17 minutes, the Grantham goalkeeper made a very good save to deny Matt Fisher.

Conroy saved Grantham again after 20 minutes when a deep cross was met by Steve Owens, but good positioning by the Town keeper allowed him to save the effort.

Cann caused problems in the 22nd minute. A Danny Hargreaves ball put Cann through, but Retford goalkeeper Chris Kingston blocked him well.

The action soon returned to the other end, with chances falling for Mick Godber, and Owens, but again, neither could find the back of the net.

A Hargreaves free-kick that Kingston tipped over the crossbar was a rare chance for Grantham as Retford continued to create the better chances. Six minutes before half-time, Godber glanced a header just past the post.

Good football just before the break should have had a better reward, with Grimes twice guilty of awful finishing.

After the break, Retford again played strong football, but Grantham were equally as strong at the back.

The chances for the home side dried up and Grantham were again able to venture forward. Cann ran clean past Stuart Ludlum, but again could not deliver a killer cross.

Hargreaves sent Cann clear once more as the better chances began to fall Grantham's way. Cann took the ball deep into the Retford penalty area, but the home defence got a challenge in.

Retford had their best chance of the second half eleven minutes from time. Owens beat Dom Revill and drove in a near-post cross. Will Tomlinson's header flashed just wide of the post.

Two minutes from time, Grantham had a penalty shout turned down. Jamie Gyoury-Hales played a good through-ball for Rob Lund, but Michael Simpkins got across to make a well-timed tackle.

Grantham Town: Conroy, Pemberton, Revill, Atkinson, Stubbs, Dixon, Hargreaves, Fleming, Turner, Cann, Lund.

Subs: Gyoury-Hales (for Turner, 78), Beardsley, Cree, Gilbert, Stainsby.

Att: 283