Eastwood CFC 1 Ashby Ivanhoe 2

Sam Grouse's stunning 40-yard lob on the hour mark ensured Ashby completed the double over their Nottinghamshire opponents on Wednesday.

Usually more of a second half team, Ivanhoe were the side who raced out of the blocks on this occasion, peppering Eastwood's goal in the opening exchanges.

Their pressure paid off after 10 minutes as Chris Acott slammed home the opener. Playing as Ashby's most advanced man for much of the game, he was first to react to the goalkeeper's parry on this occasion.

The goal sprang life into Eastwood, whose quick front three looked to threaten Ivanhoe's back four. Despite this, it was Grouse who came closest to scoring as he capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake and squeezed the ball goalwards from a tight angle, seeing his shot hit the inside of the post before being scrambled clear.

Shortly after though, Eastwood pulled level as Kyle Tomlin found himself one on one with Sam Taylor and unselfishly squared to captain Aaron O'Connor who tapped into an empty net.

The goal was the 12th of the season for the former Forest forward with Tomlin and team mate Tyler Blake also double figures this season.

Ash Garner and O'Connor both had chances to give their side the lead following the equaliser, however the score remained level after what was a breathless, end to end 45 minutes.

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The second half began in similar fashion as both teams had chances in the opening minutes. Acott continuing to cause Eastwood's defenders problems at one end, and Blake forcing Taylor into a good save at the other.

On the hour mark came the decisive blow. Ivanhoe played a hopeful pass over the Eastwood defence which found Grouse the right flank. Judging the bounce of the artificial pitch perfectly, he lobbed the ball from 40 yards over Sam Wilson. Scrambling back, he was unable to stop the ball from crossing the line as it bounced in off the crossbar.

The strike was Grouse's 20th goal in all competitions this season, a tally that leads all players in the United Counties Premier North.

Content to preserve the lead, Ivanhoe battled in defence for the remaining half an hour, with Eastwood striking Taylor's right post and the side net as they looked to pull themselves back in the match.

The closest they came to an equaliser was from a corner which was initially cleared, before a shot from the edge of the box was blocked on the line brilliantly by Liam Donaghy, saving a certain equaliser.

Ivanhoe held on for three points, a stark contrast to the late defeat against Belper in their last visit to Coronation Park.

The victory was a satisfying one for a side who have lost several key players in recent weeks, those who were out on the pitch all putting in key shifts to preserve one of the best results of the season.