Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Corby Town

Just when Corby Town thought things could not get worse, they promptly did.

Having endured the loss of their chairman and a mini-exodus of players in the last two weeks, an improved run of form on the pitch seemed to be keeping Steelmen chins up.

But that came to an end in this game and, to add to the Corby pain, they lost top scorer Ben Mackey with a suspected broken leg and had defender Liam Dolman sent off.

In fairness, Corby could not point to Dolman's dismissal as having a major effect on the result as Vauxhall Motors had Andy Taylor sent off just minutes later to ensure both sides finished with 10 men.

Instead, the Steelmen should be concerned that they contrived once again to throw away a half-time lead as they followed a controlled and measured first half with a frenetic and panicky second.

It is fair to say that two of Vauxhall goals, including their winner, were controversial.

But the Steelmen should never have allowed Motormen substitute Leighton McGivern to run as far he did before he scuffed home their winner five minutes from the end.

Last year, the Steelmen scored four at Rivacre Park but there was never the feeling they would repeat that on this visit.

This was partly due to the fact Corby are not in as good a form now as they were back then.

And it was also due to the fact that the Motormen have undoubtedly improved this season, especially at home.

This is largely down to the fact that they have unearthed a brilliant strike duo in Abi Anorou and Josh Wilson, who came into this match with 19 goals between them.

And Wilson threatened inside the first 30 seconds when he beat the offside trap but Chris Mackenzie came out of his goal well to block the chance.

Wilson then turned provider on 28 minutes, setting up Tom Grice for a shot that brought a fine low save from Mackenzie.

His efforts were rewarded 60 seconds later as Corby scored from an identical move at the other end as Adam Webster nodded down for Mackey to fire home.

However, Mackey's joy turned to pain just before half-time as he was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg after sliding in for a challenge.

Things got worse for Corby on 53 minutes when Wilson headed home the equaliser from a corner.

The Steelmen were furious that the corner had been awarded at all and Dolman's protests were too strong and too long for the referee, who brandished a straight red card.

However, Vauxhall's numerical advantage only lasted four minutes before Taylor was also dismissed for bringing down Nathan Jarman as the striker tried to race clear.

Vauxhall's response to losing Elliott was to take the lead on the hour when Grice fired low into the net after a free-kick was not properly cleared.

Corby would have been forgiven for buckling in the situation.

But once again they found the strength to respond as Webster's 65th-minute flick-on sent Jarman away to equalise.

All square with 20 minutes left, the game was anyone's.

But although both sides tried, it was Vauxhall who looked the more likely and that was confirmed late on as Craig Mahon forced a good save from Mackenzie before McGivern was given onside when he looked off and rode his luck - and three challenges - to snatch the win.