Joseph Walton’s strike in first-half added time was the only goal of a hard-fought encounter, in which the Millers battled valiantly but struggled to create openings against the Highwaymen.

Manager Wayne Scott made three changes to the side which had lost at Sheffield last time out. In came Oliver Robinson, Riece Bertram and Ben Hutchinson. Out went Conor Green, Edward Clarke and Henry Rollinson.

Morpeth had the game’s opening chance on four minutes. A long ball forward saw Sean Taylor clean through on goal. Jack Steggles made an excellent save from him but the loose ball fell to Walton who looked certain to score until a fantastic clearance off the line by Robinson prevented a goal.

At the other end Bertram was barged to the floor by Stephen Forster but Carlton’s appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Morpeth had penalty appeals of their own turned down midway through the half when they claimed a handball. The Millers responded and Aidan Austin sped down the left before delivering a dangerous cross that was read by no-one in a home shirt.

The Millers were proving stubborn opponents for a side who have led the league since the first month of the season. Carlton were playing some decent football and went desperately close to taking the lead on 36 minutes when an Oliver Clark header from a Hutchinson corner was cleared off the line.

It was then Morpeth’s turn to go on the front foot. A quick move starting at right back ended with Walton going through on goal. His shot was tipped onto the post by Steggles, but with the goalkeeper stranded Thomas Potter looked certain to score until a stunning goal line clearance from Robinson again.

The goal, when it came, was a cruel blow for the home side. With the game deep into first half added time a cross from the left was cleared only to the edge of the box where Walton fired a half-volley into the bottom corner of the net.

Carlton forced a series of corners early in the second half which came to nothing and almost levelled on the hour when Tyler Blake seized on a poor throw-out by the goalkeeper to feed Hutchinson who shot over the bar.

Morpeth struggled to break down the Millers but when Taylor cut inside Robinson his shot drew a good save from Steggles.

With 15 minutes remaining a Kieran Walker cross was flicked on by Hutchinson to Robbie McNicholas, whose effort was well blocked by Iulian Petrache.

Still Carlton sought an equaliser. Oliver Clark went close, heading just over from another Hutchinson corner.

With five minutes remaining goalkeeper Dimitris Tsapalos missed the ball from a Walker throw-in. Aaron Opoku put the chance wide by the goalkeeper stayed on the floor injured and had to be substituted. With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, Morpeth had to play striker Walton in goal for the closing minutes of the match.

Carlton were unable to test him in the period, and indeed the final chance fell to Morpeth. Steggles made another excellent save, this time from a close-range strike by Ben Sayer, as the Millers fell to a narrow defeat.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Robinson, Ebanks (Opoku 46), Bertram (Stovell 74), Ikwa, Walker, McNicholas, O Clark, Blake, Hutchinson, Austin. Unused subs: Moore, E Clarke, Motshweni

Goals: Joseph Walton 45

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Oliver Robinson

Attendance - 80