Greens manager Matt Evans made two changes to the side that played out the 1-1 draw against Melton Town last week, with Harry Gibbons and Lewis Greenfield replacing Josh Parker and Jake Thompson.

Andy Whalen had the first chance for Sleaford in the first five minutes, with a flick on from Ben Robson landing at the feet of the attacker who hit his effort first time at goal, well saved by Gresley's keeper Harvey Woodward. From the resulting corner Greenwood whipped in a cross, which went directly over Woodward and nestled into the far corner, giving Sleaford an early lead.

The Greens continued that pressure, with Gibbons driving a shot towards the bottom corner, which was well saved again by Woodward.
Gresley responded just over 10 minutes later, with Mitch White hitting a half-volley from 25 yards out, which flew into the top corner, giving Harrison Leech no chance.

Against the run of play, Gresley got a second. Fin Barker hit an attempt at goal from just inside the box, which landed superbly in the top corner.
Leech made a brave save to catch a crossed ball, and with that fell to the ground through injury. After receiving extensive treatment, he was stretchered off, calling substitute Lewis Smalley into action between the sticks. Sleaford fought hard to get back into the game late in the half but couldn’t do enough to create any clear-cut chances to test Woodward or the Rovers defence.

The second half began similarly to the end of the first, with the Greens trying to grow back into the game and working hard to create chances against the stubborn Rovers defence.

With 15 minutes to go, miscommunication cost the Greens as Jenson Cooper was set through on goal, as he chipped Smalley in the net, and gave Gresley a two-goal cushion.

Gresley found a fourth with a few minutes to go, after a ball was put across goal and tapped in at the far post, giving Smalley no chance of getting to it.

With the last kick of the game, a free kick by Ben Ashall took a deflection off Max Jemson, over Woodward and into the back of the net.
Despite fighting back, Sleaford saw themselves lose their first game in three, with two season-defining games left.

Next up for the Greens is a trip to Harrowby, as they face Newark and Sherwood on Saturday, April 19.