Carlton Town put in a barnstorming 2nd half performance but could not force the ball over the line to gain the point their performance deserved.
Added misery was also piled on Carlton after Millers keeper Curtis McDonald was sent off early in the game for handball outside his box.
Academy keeper Jack Steggles was forced to step in between the posts and did a sterling job but could do little against the impressive Balls rasping close finish in the 36th minute.
Captain Romaine Graham joined Romella Nangle upfront in the second half and Josh Rae took the challenge to Gresley on the right hand side and Gresley were on the rack for good periods but defended superbly to keep out the Millers.
Nangle should have levelled with the last kick of the game from only three yards out but miskicked when it looked easier to score.
Nangles miss summed up Wayne Scott’s luck; he lost impressive youngster Davie to injury last week, and two defenders who did so well for him during the last match were also unavailable.
The Millers have now lost five games this season by an odd goal and are already deep in the mire near the bottom of Evostick Division one South.
Carlton’s defeat was somewhat overshadowed by the news that iconic former player and captain Martin Ball has retired from the game and Millers’ chairman Mick Garton was keen to pay tribute to the former Stoke Lane legend
Garton said: “Martin is one of the finest players to have ever worn The Millers shirt and I am proud to have worked with him over many years.
“He was outstanding for our academy under Ian Spencer and Daryl Claypole and when we achieved so much under Tommy Brookebanks and it was no surprise that Les Mcjannet made him captain in his 3rd spell with us”
“It was a shame he was injured for the Senior Cup final when we retained it in 2014 and he was a big part of another great season for us that year which also saw us reach the Semi Final of the league Cup”
“He told me he had one last challenge left in him and Nick had sold him the dream at Dunkirk in hopefully helping them achieve something this season and it was fitting they pulled off that superb win at Belper in the FA Cup after Martin’s announcement “
“He holds legendary player status at our club along with the likes of Ian White, Grant Brindley and David Jepson among others who all played for the club to a high standard for many years”
He added: “A great guy, a fine player and a true winner”
