RETFORD United head into the Easter weekend with an 11-point lead, after surviving a major scare from the division's bottom club.

While Spalding were doing their best to derail Peter Duffield's team's march to the title, closest-rivals Cammell Laird suffered a shock 6-0 defeat at fellow promotion-hopefuls Grantham.

Retford host Shepshed on Friday and visit Belper Town on Monday, knowing six points will take them to the brink of a third successive promotion.

Matt Fisher opened the scoring against Spalding with a towering header after seven minutes.

When Neil Harvey doubled the lead with his 31st goal of the season shortly before the half-hour – thanks to good work from Mick Godber and a fierce drive from Steve Owens – it looked like the floodgates would open.

But Spalding struck back within two minutes when Andrew Stanhope hit a free-kick over the wall to give his side a glimmer of hope.

Hearts were in mouths when on the stroke of half-time, Spalding were awarded a penalty after an infringement in the box.

Adam Buckley stepped up to take the spot-kick, but he blazed over and left Ross Turner untroubled.

Retford were awarded a penalty of their own at the start of the second half when Gary Pawson handled Ryan Ford's cross.

And Ford saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper James Doughty.

A third goal finally arrived on 67 minutes when Fisher fed Godber who lashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

But Retford were to endure a nervy last few minutes as Spalding substitute Luke Forbes hit a sweet shot past Turner in the 85th minute.

However, the Badgers held on to the relief of the home crowd of 215.

Tomorrow's home date with Shepshed Dynamo at Cannon Park kicks-off at 3pm, as does Easter Monday's trip to Belper.