Shepshed Dynamo’s travels took them across to Nottinghamshire on Tuesday evening to face Carlton Town. Dynamo were looking to get back to winning ways following a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Anstey Nomads on Saturday while Carlton were also hoping to find the net after a 0-0 draw at home to Wellingborough at the weekend.

Shepshed boss Gary Drake opted to keep faith with the same starting eleven from the weekend while Carlton joint-managers Andy Clerke and Mark Harvey made two changes. Khyle Sargent and Lewis Durow dropped out of the first eleven from Saturday and were replaced by Liam Bateman and Nathan Watson.

A cagey opening few minutes in chilly winter conditions brought few opportunities until the 17th minute. Callum Burkey found space towards the byline on the right for Dynamo and sent in a low cross that was seized upon by Jesse Friend in the centre. Friend’s shot was superbly blocked with the deflection narrowly missing the outstretched boot of winger Jude Collins for a tap-in.

Collins wouldn’t be without a goal for long as with two minutes left of the half, Dynamo would get off the mark. A through ball down the right found Jesse Friend free of the Carlton defence with just goalkeeper Felix Annan to beat. Friend’s low shot was superbly saved but the rebound fell to Jude Collins to rifle the ball in off the post from 10 yards.

Dynamo looked to be heading in at half time with their tails up but football can be a cruel game. A long ball down the left channel looked certain to be dealt with by Shepshed full-back Chad Timson. The Dynamo defender hadn’t accounted for the pace of winger Lamin Manneh who stole the ball and rounded goalkeeper Dan Wallis to equalise with seconds to go before the break.

As the teams took to the field for the second half, it was the home side who were still in the ascendency after their dramatic equaliser. A swerving effort from Carlton’s Oliver Clark whistled past Dan Wallis’ far post from 25 yards thanks to a slight deflection after 51 minutes.

Three minutes later, the hosts went even closer. A dipping effort from 25 yards courtesy of captain Niall Davie forced Wallis to tip the ball over the bar for a Carlton corner. The pressure was beginning to mount.

As Shepshed tried to press Carlton back, the home side took advantage of a high Dynamo back line. A superbly weighted ball down the right-hand channel set winger Niall Hylton clear with only Wallis to beat. Hylton stayed cool and slotted a low, 63rd minute finish across Wallis into the far corner to send the hosts ahead after a solid spell of dominance at the beginning of the half.

To their credit, Shepshed continued to venture forward in search of an equaliser. Jesse Friend found himself on the right edge of the 18-yard box after 67 minutes. Friend produced a left-footed strike aimed for the top corner but unfortunately with too much height, leaving Annan untroubled.

Friend would go even closer three minutes later as substitute Aaron Korpal produced a superb cross from the right which was met by an acrobatic volley from Friend in the centre of goal, beside the penalty spot. Friend’s strike was matched by a superb reaction save from Felix Annan to send the ball over the crossbar.

Felix the Cat was soon at it again, this time to deny Callum Burkey after 73 minutes. The Dynamo attacker’s snapshot from the edge of the 18-yard box was met by a smart save low down from Annan. Burkey would follow up his effort and lay the ball back for substitute Jack York to send his low shot agonisingly wide of the far post from 10 yards out.

Annan was having quite the half and produced yet another fine save a minute later, this time to deny Shepshed’s Aaron Korpal. A strike from the angle on the right of the penalty area from Korpal was deflected away by Annan at his near post with 74 minutes played.

As Dynamo pressed for an equaliser, the space began to open up for Carlton to exploit. Lamin Manneh, already with a goal to his name, cut in from the right flank and sent a low effort in on Dan Wallis’ goal. The 84th minute strike had the power but ended up being hit straight at the Dynamo stopper for an easy save.

The final whistle confirmed that Carlton had secured the points leaving Shepshed to ponder what might have been. A clinical display of finishing from Town combined with some superb goalkeeping ensured victory for the Nottinghamshire side. Shepshed had their opportunities and on another day it could have been a different outcome but for Felix Annan’s heroic performance. Dynamo will look to rediscover that winning feeling again at home to Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday.

Dynamo: Wallis, Bayliss (Allen 87’), Peart, Collins (Korpal 69’), Friend, Rogers (Reason 81’), Dixon (York 69’), Prenderville, Timson, Partridge, Burkey

Carlton Town: Annan, Thompson-Harris, Davie, Bateman, Robson, Howes (Troke 45’), Manneh, Clark, Chambers (K. Watson 77’), N.Watson, Hylton (Saunders 88’)

Attendance: 206