Nantwich Town 2 Retford United 3.

NANTWICH Town warmed up for this weekend’s crunch FA Trophy third qualifying round clash with Eastwood Town with a defeat.

Their guests on Saturday sneaked victory after a hard-fought encounter, Neil Harvey's strike nine minutes from time proving to be the decisive – and most controversial – goal.

He ran on to Ross Turner's wind-assisted goalkick before gleefully stabbing the ball past Nantwich keeper Lee Jones.

Nantwich wanted an offside flag. They didn’t get one.

The Dabbers had taken the lead midway through the first half when Jones' goalkick was flicked on by Matt Rhead into the path of Michael Lennon who was scythed down in the penalty area by Turner.

Rhead drilled home the spot kick.

But Nantwich failed to cash in on their first half possession and soon after the break the Badgers equalised when livewire marksman Darryl Thomas forced home Michael Simpkins’ corner.

Thomas rasped the outside of the post soon afterwards.

On the the hour he was in the thick of the action again, collecting another of Turner’s wind-assisted kicks before crossing into the danger area for Harvey to slip Retford into the lead.

Harvey scored his second but within three minutes Pete Hall’s men had replied.

This time Oldham Athletic loanee Liam Dawson unlocked the Retford defence, stroking the ball into the path of Rhead who neatly clipped it over Turner.

Nantwich take on the Blue Square North’s Badgers in the form of Paul Cox’s promotion hopefuls on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Meanwhile the Dabbers have cut admission prices for next Tuesday’s UniBond League Challenge Cup third round clash with Premier Division rivals Matlock Town.

The tie is on subject to results in both team’s FA Trophy matches.

Dabbers fans will pay £7 on the gate – down £2 on the usual price – while concessions are £4 and children £1. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

Nantwich: Jones (GK), Reeves (Mahmoud 85), Tickle, Flynn, Sutton, MacPherson, Ashley Carter, Blackhurst, Rhead, Lennon (Madeley 76), Dawson. Subs not used: Aaron Carter, Whittaker, Chapman. Attendance: 364.