A solid battle at runaway United Counties League Division One leaders Retford on Tuesday saw Pinchbeck break their three-game duck.
Unfortunately, Flynn Slater’s 62nd-minute strike was not enough to avoid a 3-1 defeat as the Knights made it nine games without a win in all competitions.
New signing Ollie O’Connor and development team captain Sam Melson were on the bench for Pinchbeck, who almost took an early lead when JJ Ward’s 40-yard lob beat the goalkeeper but dropped just over the bar.
It was level at the break but Retford went two-up from set-pieces before Slater pulled one back. Slater went close again soon after but the points were settled with 15 minutes to go when Retford got a third.
The deadlock remained intact at Eslaforde Park on Saturday when Pinchbeck were held to a 0-0 draw by Gedling Minders’ Welfare.
Captain Joe Melson’s corner set up Connor Eyes for an early strike but his powerful header was blocked.
Melson then fired wide from 20 yards and just before half-time Oliver Callaby saw his shot well saved.
Ward came closest to scoring when he hit a post in the 70th minute and in the second minute of stoppage time Freddie Shinn’s effort from the edge of the penalty area was tipped over the bar.
Knights (v Gedling): Martin, Bodibe, Keating (Stevens), Melson, Eyes, Balding, Callaby, Howlett (Shinn), Slater, Panton, Ward (Dean). Attendance: 36.
Knights (v Retford): Martin, Bodibe (O’Connor), Balding, J Melson, Eyes, Brooks, Stevens, Howlett, Slater, Dean, Ward (S Melson).
