Liam Radford was involved in all three goals in Pontefract Collieries’ 3-1 win over Shirebrook, but was sent off late-on
The temperature went up another notch in the Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion race as Pontefract Collieries outwitted rivals Shirebrook Town in a feisty 3-1 win.
Collieries top-goal-scorer Aaron Moxam haunted his former club with two goals alongside Lee Bennett’s first ever strike for his new side.
After Saturday’s defeat to leaders AFC Emley, three points was a must for Ponte and the victory puts them back in second place and on leaders Emley’s tail with ten matches remaining.
The downside for Pontefract was the farcical dismissal of key striker Liam Radford in the second half as he is likely to miss two important games.
Shirebrook, who now need a few snookers in their promotion hunt, were left to rue wasted chances when they had the home side on the rack in the opening half-hour.
Andre Johnson had the best one when the Pontefract defence was breached for the one and only time. The striker went round and goalkeeper Craig Parry and all he needed to do was roll the ball into the empty net. He failed to get enough power on his tap-in and Tom Copping raced back in time to put the ball out for a corner.
It was a massive moment and Shirebrook paid the price. Hard-working Radford was the orchestor of the opening goal.
The former Glasshoughton hit-man somehow kept the ball in play on the right wing. Andy Catton then picked up the baton before Radford moved into space for overlap. The latter crossed and Moxam was primed and ready to slot the ball home from close range.
The irony being that Moxam was not wanted at Shirebrook earlier this season and joined Pontefract to get game-time.
Two quick-fire second half goals killed Shirebrook off. Iwan Heeley’s long throw to Radford allowed the striker to tee-up Bennett to score from eight yards on his first start for Pontefract in the 62nd minute.
Radford was involved again for the killer third goal as he was brought down by Connor Smythe inside the penalty area. Moxam sent Dave Shepherd the wrong way from the spot.
Radford’s superb performance came to a sour end as the game reached the last ten minutes.
The striker, who was cautioned at the start of the second half, entered into a foot race with Gareth Campion down the right-wing. Campion shepherded the ball out of play, but swung an elbow at Radford in front of the assistant referee George Paterson.
The pair argued until referee Paul Tomes became involved. Tomes harshly decided to caution both players which meant an early exit for Radford. He is likely to be banned for two games as he was sent off earlier in the season.
A red card had been coming because woeful Tomes had failed to stamp his authority on the game in the first half after letting a number of bad challenges go unpunished.
More drama followed as Jack Barnett pulled a goal back for Shirebrook with a low drive.
Pontefract held on with ten men and the huge applause recognised the significance of the victory.
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Heeley, Corbett, Danby (captain), Copping, Forgione, Catton (Conway 76), Joseph, Radford, Moxam (Marsden 88), Bennett (Robinson 92). Subs unused: Hancock, Handley.
Shirebrook Town: Shepherd, Hanson (captain), Smythe, Nelthorpe, Wankiewicz, Campion, York (Barnett 76), Shepherd, Morris, Johnson, Chambers. Subs unused: Cook, Weaver, Bark.
Referee: Paul Tomes
Ref Rating: 5/10
Attendance: 89
Man of the match: Liam Radford (Pontefract Collieries)