Liam Holt slots home after the keeper's parry

Lichfield City produced a gutsy performance to collect three points from their trip to Earlswood Town after playing 75 minutes with ten men.

Their task looked a tough one after Dexter Ravenhill saw red for a kick out off the ball, but the remaining players dug deep to secure a valuable victory.

Things began brightly for City with Kyle Minto forcing home keeper Tom Savage into a smart save, while Ravenhill also tested the stopper’s palms with a fierce drive that was beaten away.

Kyle Minto closes in on goal
Kyle Minto closes in on goal

But Ravenhill’s moment of madness forced his side onto the back foot and Craig Johnson had to react quickly to keep out ex-Lichfield striker Roy Dunkley, while last ditch defending was required to deny Chris Chapman.

The ten men weathered the storm and eventually broke the deadlock with 30 minutes on the clock. Minto burst down the left before driving a shot which Savage could only parry into the path of Liam Holt who tucked home from six yards out.

Earlswood did their best to get back on level terms but centre half duo Todd Perry and Dan McLeod were at their best to repel the threat.

The second period saw City again on the back foot, with Johnson in fine form as a mix of poor finishing and good goalkeeping ensured the hosts were unable to pull level.

Lichfield were also carving out opportunities of their own, Holt going close to doubling his tally with a free-kick.

Earlswood got the breakthrough they craved ten minutes from time when Courtney Charles was upended by Johnson in the box. Dunkley made no mistake from the resulting spot kick to set up a lively finale to the fixture.

The hosts were pushing for the elusive winner but fell victim to a sucker punch when Leon Morgan broke on the counter to cross for Minto to nod home with a matter of minutes left on the clock.

Click below to see more of Mick Tyler’s pictures from the game:

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.