Garforth slumped to another heavy defeat in a bitterly disappointing afternoon on Cedar Ridge. In a scrappy affair between two teams yet to win in 2016 the physical visitors simply had too much for a lightweight-looking Town side.

New signing Gregg Kidd who went straight into the side, replacing Dane Winn. There were also debuts for Ryan Mottley-Henry and Kyle Bartley who lined up on the bench. Spencer Lund and Harry McMillan returned from injury, although missing was Liam Hardey who came off injured at Worksop on Wednesday.

For the second time in two games Town were behind within the first five mins. A cross from the left wing was parried by Hunter to Retford captain Adam Lee who poked in the rebound. On six mins it could've been 2-0 when Bradley Johnson ran unchallenged and shot over the bar.

The Miners looked like a team short on confidence, but managed to carve out a few chances around the 20 minute-mark. Good work from Curtly Martin-Wyatt saw him find George Conway to his right who shot just wide. An excellent through ball from Spencer Lund shortly after ended in another chance for Conway who raced clear, but the Badgers' defence managed to scramble back to block his shot on goal. Conway was involved again on 25 mins when his wind-assisted corner kick had to be cleared off the line.

Eight mins later however amid blizzard conditions the visitors doubled their lead. Johnson's low cross from the left took a deflection to somehow find its way into the far corner. Only two mins later Hunter prevented a third goal when making a good save from Jermaine Gordon after he raced clear.

Another good spell for Town in the last third of the half gave the weather-battered home fans something to cheer. Excellent work by Conway on the byeline on 38 mins saw him pick out Lund on the edge of the box who placed the ball into the bottom corner. The last chance fell Martin-Wyatt's way when his powerful shot was turned wide by Davies at his near post.

Two mins into the second half the Badgers had the ball in the net after a shot crashed off the bar and was poked home, but the offside flag was raised. Jonathan Roper probably should've made it 3-1 when breaking clear moments later, Hunter made a block and Mick Jones was there to clear off the line. The let-off lasted only two minutes though; Retford extended their lead when Gareth Campion's overhead flick from a corner found its way into the net. The offside flag was raised but referee Peter Henger appeared to overrule his linesman and gave the goal.

A couple of chances then came Jordan Outerbridge's way, a good move involving Mark Simpson and Conway on 55 mins ended in the ex-Harrogate Railway midfielder shooting just wide. On 67 mins Outerbridge shot straight at Davies after Martin-Wyatt broke forward and five mins later substitute Kyle Bartley shot over the bar from 20 yards after Conway's attempted delivery to Martin-Wyatt was cleared.

On 76 mins substitute Christian Savage broke clear of the defence but shot past the far post with only Hunter to beat. On 82 mins the visitors were awarded a penalty when Jones was alleged to have fouled Mark West in the box, the linesman waving his flag and this time the referee agreeing with him. Captain Lee stepped up and sent Hunter the wrong way to seal victory for the Nottinghamshire side. Lee could've completed his hattrick in injury time when his free-kick was deflected wide, but his team had done enough and were able to see out a comfortable win.

Yesterday represented a huge opportunity to halt the run of five straight defeats, but with Town's defence leaking goals and confidence running low its difficult to see where the next victory will come from. Up next a visit to our bogie ground of Nostell....