Shepshed Dynamo were left to rue a disastrous opening ten seconds as Will Langford’s early strike earned Grantham Town a 1–0 victory in the Northern Premier League.

The game was barely underway when the hosts took the lead. Straight from kick-off, Dynamo played the ball back to Goalkeeper Jake Williams, but his attempted clearance was charged down by Will Langford. The Grantham forward calmly collected the rebound before rolling into an empty net to hand the Gingerbreads the perfect start.

Grantham almost doubled their advantage from a corner on eight minutes. Michael Jacklin knocked the ball down inside the six-yard box and Ryan Rushen flicked goalwards, but Williams reacted well to gather.

Dynamo gradually settled into the contest, but chances remained at a premium. The hosts threatened again midway through the first half when Lee Shaw squared for Louis Czerwak, whose clever turn inside the penalty area was brilliantly matched by a strong block from Chad Timson.

Shepshed’s best opportunity before the interval arrived through one of their trademark long throws. Jiah Medrano launched the ball into the box and Harry Harrison climbed highest, only to see his header bounce agonisingly wide of the far post.

An unusual delay followed shortly afterwards as the referee suffered an injury and was unable to continue. After a lengthy stoppage, a replacement official was found from the crowd, with Assistant Referee Ellis White moving in to the middle.

Gary Drake shuffled his side throughout the second half, introducing fresh legs in search of an equaliser, but Grantham remained disciplined and difficult to break down as chances for both sides were incredibly hard to come by.

The hosts nearly settled the contest three minutes from time when Abdul-Rasheed Bakare raced clean through, cut inside Jack Samples and found himself one-on-one, but his finish lacked conviction and Williams saved comfortably.

Dynamo threw everyone forward in stoppage time and came within inches of rescuing a point. Medrano’s long throw was flicked on by Josh Halliday, where Taylor Wyse arrived at the back post, but his header drifted just over the crossbar.

It certainly wasn’t a spectacle at The South Kesteven Sports Stadium with the damage done inside the opening moments for Grantham as they held on for all three points.