Harvey Graves scored twice for The Greens, before two goals in two minutes levelled the game, and a further two goals late on securing the three points for the hosts.

Manager Matt Evans made three changes to the side that lost to Pinchbeck United a week prior, with Archie Olivier-Townrow, Riley Wilkinson and Lewis Smith all exiting the squad due to unavailability, with Callum Brown, Benji Zalewski and Lewis Greenfield all returning to the starting 11.

The game started very even, with both sides creating plenty of chances to threaten one another. The Badgers were the first to come close to scoring when a lofted ball was directed towards goal, only for Teddy Jefcoate to push it onto the bar superbly.

Sleaford managed to open the scoring with 20 minutes gone. A clearance into a dangerous area by Joe Wilkinson set Graves into a dangerous area, and he knocked it past goalkeeper Harvey Woodward, converting into an open net and giving Sleaford the lead.

The Greens pushed on from here, too. A cross from Greenfield was put in a dangerous area, with a glancing header from Taylor Gray needing a good save from Woodward to deny a second.

Late on in the half Sleaford continued to push, with a ball across goal from Graves being cleared from the Retford defender, with Zalewski right behind him ready to convert if there was an error from the Badger.

Just 12 minutes into the second half Sleaford doubled their lead. A cross from Zalewski was flicked to the edge of the box by Silas Stewart-Caws, with Harvey Graves having a deflected effort beat Woodward and giving The Greens a second.

Retford substitutes brought on gave them opportunities to get one back, which they eventually did with 15 minutes to go. Lewis Chambers was sent in behind the defence, and his cool strike slotted through Jefcoate, getting one back for Retford.

They managed to equalise within the next minute, making it two goals in two minutes. A cross from wide was collected by Jefcoate, who dropped it as he fell. The referee waved play on, and Drew Allwood hit an overhead kick to beat the ‘keeper and complete the comeback.

As added time was about to begin, The Badgers took the lead for the first time in the match. A corner swung in was cleared into the path of former Sleaford player Ben Ashall, who put power through his strike, with substitute goalkeeper Blake Mayo not able to get across to it at close range.

A fourth sealed the game for Retford United as the game went deep into added time. A penalty was awarded for The Badgers for a foul deemed to be committed by Benji Zalewski. Substitute Allwood converted from 12 yards out, putting power through the ball and giving Retford a comfortable lead.

The referee blew for full time shortly after, with a painful defeat inflicted upon Sleaford against promotion hopefuls after a strong performance.

Sleaford will now look to lick their wounds as they prepare for a home match against Radford on Saturday, January 10, scheduled for a 3pm kick off.