The club have made a staggering impact on their first season at this level, and a third successive league crown can be claimed at Cannon Park on Saturday against Alsager Town (3pm).

Peter Duffield, in his first season as manager, stands just one more win from a superb achievement.

Despite the ground grading issue clouding the past week or so, he managed to get his players motivated to win two vital games in the race for the title.

For a report on Retford's win over Cammell Laird, read Thursday's Retford Trader Guardian.

In the first half hour against Gresley, United went close on several occasions. Mick Godber almost found Neil Harvey with his cross, but the Barbadian couldn't connect with the effort.

Ryan Ford then drilled in a shot low and hard, straight at Dave Clare in the Gresley net.

Steve Owens left his marker on the floor as he twisted and turned his way forward and into the box. His shot was parried by Clare and Jamie Hood had to hook clear, and then Dan White headed wide.

United started the second half as strongly as they did the first, Godber's header from Ford's ball bouncing cruelly over the bar.

Retford were then lucky not to have conceded a penalty with Gresley fans and players alike insisting that Matt Fisher had pushed over a player as they challenged for a corner, but the referee who had a very good game, waved away the appeals.

Finally, the deadlock was broken in the 60th minute. Ryan Hindley let fly a shot that Clare had to acrobatically push away from goal, the ball fell to Harvey who made no mistake when he slipped the ball past the stricken 'keeper and into the back of the net. The Badgers held on for victory.