Selston's cup heartbreak sums up United Counties League week

There is a version of this season where Selston have already won a penalty shootout or two, and the story reads very differently. Instead, the Nottinghamshire club's return to their home ground, The Parish, after eight consecutive away fixtures ended with the cruellest of finishes against Step 5 opposition Deeping Rangers in the United Counties League Knockout Cup. Leighton Bowering's second-half poke home, forced from a Deeping goalkeeper error, had Selston seemingly cruising, only for a 90th-minute mistake from goalkeeper Branon Meehan to hand the visitors an equaliser and send the tie to penalties, which Deeping won 6-5. Manager Lee Stevenson did not hide his frustration afterwards. "We've got ourselves into a winning position against a very good side and then we've effectively handed them a way back into the game right at the end," he said, adding that Alex Hardman's man-of-the-match display and Meehan's earlier penalty save were among the positives to salvage.

It was not the first time the shootout lottery had gone against Selston this month; their United Counties League Cup exit to Rainworth Miners Welfare also went to penalties. On the league front, though, there has been genuine improvement, with a 2-1 comeback win over fellow promoted side Cotgrave built on two Bowering headers from Jack Cockram corners, following an earlier away victory at Pinchbeck United and a battling draw at Sleaford Town.

In the FA Vase second qualifying round, Sleaford Town travelled to Birstall United looking to reach the first round proper for the first time in three seasons, Sleaford Town travelled to Birstall United looking to reach the first round proper for the first time in three seasons, with winger Dion Tansey-Potter returning to a former club, while Louth Town entertained Kirby Muxloe and Pinxton welcomed back an opponent to the Roofsol Welfare Arena. Dronfield Town hosted a Vase derby against Handsworth at the Stonelow Stadium, having also picked up a Derbyshire FA Cup bye alongside the likes of Chesterfield and Alfreton Town.

Across the rest of the division, Cotgrave beat Pinxton 2-1 through goals from Samuel Dunn and captain Ryan Smith, Maltby Main won away at Radford, and Dunkirk drew 0-0 at Swallownest. South Normanton Athletic took a break from league action for their own FA Vase trip to Southwell City, while Gedling Miners Welfare suffered back-to-back heavy defeats. Off the field, Selston announced Roofing East Midlands as principal partner and Survey Hub as back-of-shirt sponsor, part of a busy commercial week across the division that also saw Clipstone welcome new signing Liam Widdowson and Pinchbeck United unveil new home kits.