It was the lowly visitors who had the first chance, Chris Riley producing a diving save to push Michael Attard’s shot round the post. Town’s first move of note came on 13 minutes JC McDonald and George Pearce combining well, but the move ended with Pearce injuring himself as he hit the ball, and he limped off to be replaced by Sam Wilford. Askern’s Josh Taylor floated a shot just too high after robbing McDonald in midfield, the visitors at this stage looking the more threatening but fortunately showing little accuracy in their shooting. A well timed tackle by Leon Cusworth thwarted Chris Dobbie as he made progress into the penalty area, a feat matched by Alex Hales as he did well to rob Attard at the other end. Newark edged in front on 28 minutes as Wilford accelerated past Mac Kennedy and fire in a ball which Tony Sykes got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. Minutes later James Munson headed fractionally wide after the visiting keeper failed to collect a McDonald corner, Town beginning to put together some more structured passing movements as they settled to their task. A short corner from Reece Self to Oli Dyson brought a diving save from Tony Sykes on the stroke of half time.
Dom Swingler replaced Dobbie early in the second half as Town again held the upper hand without really looking like adding to their lead. Dyson and Self combined again, Sykes just grabbing the cross as Munson threatened. Brad Sykes had a chance to level things on the hour but screwed his shot wide of the far post. A quick break by Swingler put Danny Lee through, but the ball struck the keeper’s feet and ran wide. After Riley had got down well to smother a Brad Sykes effort, Swingler almost made it two, curling the ball round keeper and post after good work from Munson. Newark passed up a golden chance to wrap up the points in the 84th minute as a piercing through ball from Luke Parsons put Self clear, but he blasted over the bar from close range. This missed opportunity assumed greater significance less than a minute later when Askern were awarded a free kick ten yards out. Taylor stepped up and powered the ball past the wall, giving Riley no chance.
This was most definitely a case of two points dropped, and gave Town a return of just a single point from their last three home games. A win in the last match of the season next Saturday at Sherwood Colliery will guarantee a fifth place finish, but the last few games have highlighted considerable room for improvement.