A disappointing contest going the way of the home side through two late second half goals. Colin Tandy made a return to Gate’s line up playing up front alongside Steve Jackson but chances were rare in a match of little quality as both sides turned in performances indicative of their lowly league positions. Gate edged possession in the first half but once again the final ball or first touch was missing resulting in both keepers having very little to do.

An early Ben Judd free kick caused problems in the opposition box but with neither Dan Dineen nor Toby Checketts able to get a touch on the loose ball and a neat interchange of passes between Joshua Allen-Noble and Jackson ended with Tandy hitting a first time effort narrowly wide.

Tandy’s thirty yard free kick failed to breach a well organised defensive wall and a second free kick this time from Judd saw Dineen knock the ball behind at the far post. Dineen then turned to defensive duties by clearing a dangerous high ball a yard out from goal but the half finished with Shaunn Edwards still without a save to make.

Both sides upped their game after the break Edwards doing well to hold Ben Ashby’s chest high driven cross despite the presence of David Boal and at the other end Gate’s Craig Nolan headed the ball back for Alando Lewis to send a wayward attempt over the bar.

Atherstone then squandered what was the best chance of the game so far when centre half Daniel Douglas headed over from a close range scoring position, Gate themselves creating a couple of opportunities, the first when keeper Paul Hathaway saved from Jackson at the foot of his near post then Dave Timmins stretching but marginally away from turning in yet another well directed Judd free kick.

Jackson forced another good save out of Hathaway but a quick break was Gate’s undoing as the resulting 67th minute corner was headed firmly home by Ashby for a crucial first goal. Other than Elroy Bennett miscuing Karl King’s pass late on Gate never looked like finding the equalising goal, the home side doubling their lead to seal an unconvincing win when substitute Jordon Holmes blasted the ball passed Edwards in the dying minutes.

Highgate United
1. Edwards; 2.Abonandi; 3.Dineen; 4.Nolan (Povey 80); 5.Judd; 6.Checketts; 7.Allen-Noble; 8.Timmins; 9.Tandy (Bennett 64); 10.Jackson; 11.Lewis (King 53) Substitutes not used: Casey; Corrigan

Atherstone Town
Paul Hathaway Dean Johnson Chris Socket ( c) Daniel Douglas Craig Risdale Lee Chapman Ben Ashby Liam Bailey Conner Parker David Boal Kurtis Mewies tutes: Jordon Holmes Matthew Selvester Lewis Edwards Brandon Haynes