DEPLETED by injuries and something of a Lincolnshire player merry-go-round, Skegness Town gave a good account of themselves against the league leaders at Burgh Road.

Already without the unavailable skipper Joby Gowshall, the Lilywhites suffered a number of late withdrawals and were forced to sign three of their reserve team squad on match day.

Their plight was not helped by an injury to Jordan Dixon in the warm-up and striker Michael Gardner lasted just 25 minutes before he limped out of the action.

Manager Barry Kilmore introduced Royston Wilkinson and Josh White for their first starts of the season and young debutant Ryan Beresford played 65 minutes after replacing Gardner.

Despite the makeshift feel to the Skegness line-up, the home side was not overawed by Sports, who had already come unstuck in the Challenge Cup at Burgh Road earlier this season.

However, the visitors took a fortuitous 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Steve Johns's 40th minute penalty. It was so harsh that Ashley Murrell was unable to bite his lip and picked up a yellow card for his protests.

Chances at both ends were at a premium and it wasn't until the 80th minute that Craig Wilkinson doubled Ruston's lead to make the points safe.

Wilkinson was later dismissed by referee Chris Good for a second caution of the day.

Skegness Town: B Murrell, Papworth, Epton, Tuplin, A Murrell, R Wilkinson, White, Howland, Howard, Gardner, Parnham, Beresford, Starkey.

* Prior to the game there was a minute's silence observed in memory of Lincolnshire referee David Baines, who died recently.

** Skegness Town's latest tote draw has been won by Beverley Hough of Skegness with the numbers 8 and 33.

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