"But it's gone and we will move on. We certainly need to tighten up defensively but this team is going to get better. I'm sure of that. A number are new to this level and can only improve with more games played."

In a niggly encounter - there were 19 free kicks in the first half alone - Stamford got off to the greatest possible start with a goal after five minutes. Ryan Robbins went on a great run down the left, won a corner, and Richard Jones, who had passed a lunchtime fitness test on a calf knock, met the cross with a firm header which flew beyond Dan Haystead in the Grantham goal.

It could so easily have been two almost immediately as Robbins, on fire in those early stages, went on a mazy run down the middle and hammered a rising drive against Haystead's left hand post. It had rebounded out of the area before anyone could re-act!

Moments like that decide football matches but, as twice at Ilkeston, Lady Luck frowned on Stamford.

The Daniels had a fright on 11 minutes when a long, floating free kick, aided by a bustly breeze, drew Alex Lynch too far and he had to fingertip the ball away for a corner.

Gary King and Gregg Smith, both keen to impress against their old club, were always in the thick of the action and the former put a couple of free kicks on target - both dealt with comfortably by Lynch.

King then combined with Michael Towey to create danger but skipper Jones, who was to enjoy an inspirational afternoon, walloped the ball clear. Grantham are good at set pieces but Jones masterminded some good defensive work in the home area.

Indeed Jonah almost got a second when he closed in for a header which a defender on the post managed to head up against the bar and somehow the ball was scrambled clear. Another rerun of Ilkeston!

As proceedings became increasingly frenetic, both Challinor, for the third successive match, and talkative Gregg Smith went into the referee's book.

With half time approaching, Grantham got the equaliser they had been threatening. As the ball came into a crowded area, Adie Hawes hooked his shot goalward and, although it was hacked clear, the ball had crossed the line and a goal rightly given.

The first half closed with Ryan Robbins blazing a free kick high and wide and a crowd of 432 agreeing that they getting their money's worth.

Almost immediately, as the second haf started, Grantham were ahead. King put in a free kick and Paolo Pillerio forced the ball home.

Stamford hit back and it was no surprise when Robbins, who so often tormented his marker, was bundled over unceremoniously in the area by Emeka Nwadike for a clearcut penalty. Jordan Smith, however, put his firmly struck kick too close to Haystead and the keeper made a good block.

Still Stamford went in search of an equaliser, Andrew Burgess – who on numerous occasions drove Stamford forward in search of an equaliser - was next to go close with a shot which cannoned back off the underside of the bar. Both teams had their moments after this but full time arrived with no further goals - and Stamford left to rue what deservedly might have been.

TEAMS

STAMFORD: Alex Lynch, Jon Challinor, Richard Wesley (James Sage), Tom Batchelor, Richard Jones (c), Alvin Jarvis, Dan Lawlor (Shawn Richards), Ashley Robinson, Jordan Smith, Andrew Burgess and Ryan Robbins. Subs unused: Liam Richardson, David Staff and Aaron Kennedy.

GRANTHAM: Dan Haystead, Sam Purcicoe, Lee Ridley, Deon Meikle, Adie Hawes (Nathan Watson), Kallum Keane, Michael Towey, Emeka Nwadike (c), Greg Smith, Gary King and Paolo Pillerio. Subs: Romaine Graham, Kallum Smith, Ian Robinson and Jake Turner.

Man of the match: Andy Burgess

Match sponsor: SRSN