An 88th minute lung-busting overlapping run and cross from Archie Dillon, Elston’s right back, and a first-time finish from James Clarke gave Elston victory over a well-organised and dangerous Arnold Town team. Despite the difference in league standings between the two teams, there was never much between them on the pitch, and Arnold twice came from behind in a tight Division 2 encounter in the Nottinghamshire Senior League.

Both defences began the game with a touch of nerves leading to a series of early chances. But while Arnold’s forwards were unable to turn either of their two chances into goals, James Scott punished a wayward pass from the Arnold Town defenders and advanced to sweep home from 18-yards in the sixth minute.

For most of the rest of the first half, there was little to choose between the two teams. For Elston, both Teddy Furman and Rui Thacker were unable to convert their chances, Barney Repper was unlucky to shoot over the bar from close range, James Scott had a run and shot that was blocked by the Arnold defence, and Joe Wroughton’s curled free kick was only denied by the Arnold Town crossbar. But Arnold had chances of their own and Elston’s players were left to rue their missed opportunities when, in the 44th minute, a long ball into the Elston box created confusion between Brad Musgrove and the Elston United defenders, allowing Christopher Carter, the Arnold Town centre-forward, to nip and head home to make the half-time score 1-1.

Elston started the second half the stronger of the two teams and regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Archie Dillon’s corner was brilliantly headed into the goal by Toby Craven. Five minutes later, a Teddy Furman volley was well saved by the Arnold goalkeeper, but Arnold got back on level terms in the 65th minute when Elston failed to clear an Arnold corner and the ball fell to Angelo Georgiou to head into an empty net.

Martin Scott, the Elston manager, responded to this setback with a series of substitutions, and the extra energy of the substitutes began to tip the balance in Elston’s favour. Kieran Adams, Will Veys and James Clarke were all involved in dangerous Elston attacks, and with two minutes left on the clock Adams found a pass for the overlapping Dillon to set up Clarke’s goal and start the Elston United celebrations.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Archie Dillon, Toby Craven, Sam Lloyd, Will Veys, Louis Cross (Harry Scott 75), Joe Wroughton, Barney Repper (Kieran Adams 70), James Scott, James Scott, Teddy Furman, Rui Thacker (James Clarke 70). Sub not used: Curtis French.