Easter Monday at Cannon Park saw a sharing of the spoils in the Retford derby, but for one half of the north-east Nottinghamshire town, it was to be a taste of silverware, whilst the other, it’s the lottery of the play-offs.

The visiting Choughs are the ones who lift the United Counties League Division One title, needing either a draw or a win at the home of their rivals, Retford United, to achieve the feat.

A quick-fire pair of goals from Liam Bennett and Rory Coleman had the visitors 2-1 up at the break, Ross Duggan having netted for the hosting Badgers; Duggan’s second of the game, early in the second half, made for an interesting final thirty, but it was the visitors who took the final plaudits, despite the 2-2 draw.

The Badgers’ downfall this season, too many draws; although losing just three times, they have drawn ten of their league games, that ultimately proving costly. Remarkably though, both sides have long-since surpassed netting 100 goals in all competitions, and both have, following Monday’s draw, broke the 100pts barrier in the league as well.

Joining the Badgers in the playoffs, Stapleford Town, who’ll travel to Coalville Town in their semi-final on 18 April; they confirmed a top four finish after a 2-0 win at Sandiacre Town, Aaron Lamb and Max Taylor netting – the Badgers have to wait until after the final day of the season before their opponents are known, two points separating FCV Grace Dieu, South Normanton Athletic, and Staveley Miners Welfare.

Further up the pyramid, and in the National League North, Worksop Town slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Buxton, Aaron Martin stoppage time goal being too little, too late for the hosting Tigers.

As for the other divisional leaders, prior to kick-off, Carlton Town relinquished the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands top spot when being held to a 1-1 draw at home to rivals, and fellow promotion hopefuls, Basford United.

Ashley Chambers afforded the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the opening minutes, however, they didn’t build on that and the Ambers levelled proceedings just before the hour mark, earning a share of the spoils.

That result saw the Millers drop to second in the table, Anstey Nomads, finding a rich vein of form at the right time, moving top on goal-difference after their 2-0 win at home to Racing Club Warwick. This was their eighth straight win, from which they’ve kept six clean sheets – Basford meanwhile, they remain third in the table.

Sherwood Colliery have also dropped to second in the race for the United Counties Premier North title, they also being held to a 1-1 draw in a local derby, away to AFC Mansfield; Kaylum Mitchell gave the hosts the lead in first half stoppage time, Kieran Knight equalising in the closing minutes.

Boston Town replaced Sherwood at the time after they won 4-0 at home to Skegness Town, their eight straight win and sixth clean sheet also.

Elsewhere in the UCL, Newark Town and Hucknall Town both registered narrow wins on the road, at Deeping Rangers (1-0) and Newark & Sherwood United (2-1) respectively, whilst the game between Kimberley Miners Welfare and Eastwood CFC finished goalless.

Whilst the remaining games in Division One saw Clifton All Whites win 2-1 at home to West Bridgford, Riece Betram with the winner, Southwell City win 3-1 at Holwell Sports as Akand Gangorta bagging a brace, and Dunkirk winning 2-1 at Radford thanks to Ben Rafferty’s double.

The game between Clipstone and Rainworth Miners Welfare finished level at 1-1, Robert Scope and Thomas Weaver netting for their respective sides, and Shirebrook Town were beaten 2-1 away to promotion-chasing Staveley Miners Welfare.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Retford_FC action from the Retford derby on Bank Holiday Monday.