Manager Matt Evans made three changes to his side that tasted defeat at the weekend, with Ewan Dobson, Ben Ashall and Silas Stewart-Caws all coming in to make their first starts of the season.

In comparison to Saturday, Sleaford started strong, pushing hard to get an early opener.

In their first chance of the match, Joe Wilkinson won possession in midfield, and fed Gibbons through, whose shot was saved by Niall Edge.

Less than two minutes later, Lewis Greenfield ran inside from the wing, beating his men and hitting a shot at goal. A worried Edge dived down to his left, but the ball shot wide of goal.

The visitors continued to attack in this manor, with a series of chances in the first 30 minutes to put pressure on the Wrens’ defence. Unfortunately for Sleaford, however, Rainworth managed to do enough to stop Sleaford scoring.

As half time loomed, Rainworth began to come into the game, with a series of threatening balls in the box causing Sleaford issues, as they couldn’t clear their lines enough. Fortunately for the Greens, play was stopped with a late challenge on Ben Coleman forcing the referee to blow for a free kick.

In a goalless affair at half time, the Greens may have felt frustrated with their lack of finishing, with 10 shots in comparison to their oppositions two.

The second half continued to play out in a similar way to the first, as Sleaford continued to search for an opener. Gibbons flicked a header across goal which was met by Stewart-Caws, but his shot was too powerful, as it was hit over the crossbar.

The Wrens managed to find an unlikely opener just after the hour mark. In a counter-attack, Kristian Cato-Barrett was set through on goal. However, Jonasz Gadomski managed to clear the attack as far as the edge of the box. It landed as far as Jatta, who placed it through the defence and into the back of the net.

From the restart, Sleaford found an equaliser. Riley Wilkinson received the ball from his namesake, and crossed the ball to the path of Gibbons, who flicked it into the corner of the net, giving Sleaford an equaliser.

10 minutes later, Sleaford found themselves in front. A cross from substitute Ashton Junior Taylor was met by Riley Wilkinson, who brought it down before slotting it past Edge, wheeling away in celebration.

The Greens had to dig deep from here on, with feisty challenges and fluid counters from the Wrens testing the defence. They managed to hold on, however, fighting hard to keep the lead.

Eventually, the referee blew for full time, and Sleaford earned a much deserved three points, following a much-improved performance.

Next up for the Greens is another journey to Nottinghamshire, as Sleaford face Sandiacre on Saturday, as they search for back-to-back wins.