and a 25 yard free kick goal against them.

The home side had the first good chance when a short corner was played back to George Asplin, his cross to the far post was met by the arriving Tom Siddons but he screwed his shot wide of the opposite post.

Rangers were getting their game going and a good ball from Ben Lewis got Scott Mooney in behind home defender Leigh Warman who, with Mooney a pace away from the penalty box box, hauled him down – another day it would have been Red but only a yellow was shown.

As happens, Town were then awarded a kick, up stepped Dave Hone to curl over the wall into the top corner past the stranded Richard Stainsby in the visitor’s goal to give Town the lead on 14 mins.

Deeping had a good chance to level, Henry Dunn found Scott Coupland, his clever play set Mooney into the box only to shoot wide of the far post, the same combination saw home keeper Alex Smith thwart Mooney’s fierce drive with a fine save.

Play was proceeding in virtual darkness as neither the referee or home officials deemed floodlights necessary (actually switched on on 35 mins!).

Rangers suffered another poor decision when Dunn’s pass played in Mooney behind the home defence only to be halted by a linesman’s flag (when the ball is kicked lino not when received was the call!!)

Sleaford finished the half missing a good chance, Siddons collected a throw in, sent a good cross field pass to release Asplin to run into the Rangers half where his shot from the corner of the box found the outside of the net.

Half Time – Sleaford Town 1 Deeping Rangers 0

Rangers went for the equaliser from the start of the second period, Mooney was again in behind the home defence only to take too many touches and lose the opportunity.

The Clarets Flack then progressed in to the home box to find Coupland whose shot was saved by keeper Smith.

A swift home counter attack saw sub Joe Smith smash a drive that Rangers keeper Stainsby tipped onto the post.

Play was competitive but both sides rarely threatened their opponent although a Hone headed clearance found Deeping sub Will Bird who touch set up Coupland only to see his shot well smothered by the advancing Smith in the home goal

In the end, a disappointing start to Rangers League campaign

Full Time – Sleaford Town 1 Deeping Rangers 0