Having led twice through goals from winger Benji Zalewski, the hosts hit back with two goals from David Olatomide and Riley Phillips, with a 2-1 lead quickly turning into a 3-2 deficit for the Greens.

Three changes were made to the Sleaford side that lost 3-0 to Dunkirk last time out, with Ben Coleman, Lewis Greenfield and Clayton Wilkinson all departing the starting 11, replaced by Callum Brown, Kyle Onyon and Zalewski.

The match started with high energy, and resulted in an early goal for the Greens. A good ball was played into Andy Whalen from Joe Wilkinson, with the striker turning his man and playing Zalewski through. The winger ran through on goal, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, into the far corner and wheeled away celebrating his first goal in a green shirt.

Goalkeeper Teddy Jefcoate was soon called into action on a number of occasions to stop serious chances for the hosts. In a one-on-one with Max Taylor, the keeper made himself big, and provided a huge stop to keep the lead intact.

After Sleaford's early goal, Stapleford grew into the match and tried to put pressure on the Greens defence, but they were equal to it every time. As the first half went into added time, a shot from a dangerous position was blocked immensely by Greens captain Jonathan Timmins, who got in front of it and cleared danger, with the referee eventually blowing for half time.

As the second half got underway, Sleaford looked the more likely to score, with attacker Lewis Smith having the best chance, cutting inside and striking a powerful shot towards the near post, but Saxons 'keeper Danny Brown got down to it well, pushing it away for a corner.

With that chance, Stapleford went down the other end and found an equaliser. A run down the right wing from Olatomide beat Timmins, and a shot from short range flew into the top corner, giving Jefcoate no chance.

From the equaliser, the hosts looked on top and the more likely to take the lead, but Zalewski managed to get another against the run of play. A pass was played into a dangerous area, with the full back trying to get composed and clear the ball. Zalewski overpowered him, however, and with a bolt of pace he ran through on goal, slotting the ball under Brown, and regaining the lead.

This goal made Stapleford go up another gear, however, getting two goals in quick succession. The first was a shot from distance by Phillips, who's shot was deflected onto the inside of the post and in, with Jefcoate unfortunate not to have got down to parry it away.

The third goal came from a corner, with Olamotide jumping higher than anyone in green, with his shot finding the back of the net and completing the comeback after a strong spell in attack.

Late on, Sleaford looked close to getting a goal back and clutching a point from the match. A corner met the head of Timmins, but his strike was just over the bar, coming close to finding a goal.

In the last bit of action in the match, Zalewski found himself putting the ball in a dangerous area, but it was just behind substitute Riley Wilkinson, who tried flicking it into the net. It landed at the back post, but it was eventually cleared for a corner.

With that, the referee blew for full time, with Sleaford coming so close to finding a vital point in the match.

The Greens will be hoping for a similar reaction and performance next time out, when they travel to Leicestershire to face Coalville Town in more UCL Division One action.