Carlton backed up their dramatic comeback win on boxing day with another victory, this time against Daventry Town, who are also just outside the playoff picture writes James Morton.

With the hosts taking the lead within thirty five seconds through Josh Rae, the lead was then doubled by top goalscorer Daniel Gordon with a deflected free kick that flew past Ben Heath in the Daventry goal. Although the visitors did grab a goal back before halftime when Ricky Hill’s powerful header beat Jack Steggles.

Josh Rae did restore the two-goal cushion midway through the second half, after fantastic build up play by Carlton. Yet, Daventry weren’t done as Panzo-Antonio slid in close range to give them a shout with minutes remaining. Not that Carlton allowed them to get anything with two late goals by Romaine Graham, to cap off a fantastic Christmas period for Carlton.

The first action came inside the first minute, as straight from the kick off, Josh Rae made a great move through the middle and ended up with the midfielder slotting the ball into the back of the net, with the first minute not even being completed.

The early pressure was all Carlton, as they came close again but Daniel Gordon blazed the ball over. Not that it mattered too much as a few minutes later Gordon got another chance from a free-kick, which was deflected by Curtis Hartley and into the back of the net with Ben Heath motionless in the Daventry goal.

A rare corner though for the visitors, just before the half hour mark, allowed them back into the game as Ricky Hill rose highest at the back post, and his powerful header powered past Jack Steggles in the Carlton goal.

Daventry then had a chance to level, but Hartley, who was in a great position, blazed his effort over the bar.

Before the break, Carlton mustered up a couple of great chances, both ending up at Romaine Graham, with his first effort, one-on-one, was blocked by the legs of Heath. Then his second was turned behind the post for a corner.

After the interval, Daventry came racing out of the blocks, and rattled the bar minutes into the second half, before also having a shot cleared off the line.

Though Carlton still looked threatening going forward, and Graham did well to hold up the ball in the box, unable to get a shot away, before laying it into the path of Gordon, but the Daventry defence were able to block the shot.

The visitors must have felt they had levelled the game when Edilson Panzo-Antonio had two glorious chances, with the first effort going well over the bar from close range, then the latter forcing a good save from Steggles.

After the close shaves at the other end, it was the Millers to then go hammer at tongue at the other end, with Rae’s curling effort going just over the bar. Though he did convert a chance minutes later when Graham played a great square ball across the floor to Joe Fitzpatrick, who played it straight to Rae, who smashed the effort past Heath.

Not that the Daventry threat was then nullified, as they went close again through skipper Jason Lee, but his shot from distance was well saved by Steggles.

Though Carlton had their tails up and Rae will feel he should have had a hat trick, after Gordon battled well to win the ball before playing it back to Rae who’s effort whacked the post. Falling straight to Romello Nangle, but his effort also went wide.

Then within a minute Graham had a shot go just wide of the target, before Rae had an effort go over the bar after beating Heath.

Though back came Daventry, with Adam Creaney having an effort go over the bar. Though, they did reduce the deficit once more when a low cross was converted by the sliding Panzo-Antonio from close range.

But back came Carlton, who were able to wrap up the game when Graham managed to find the back of the net, after a delightful ball from Rae over the top fell straight to Graham, with his effort rattling off the bar, but he was able to control the rebound before slotting the ball home.

Then in injury time, Graham went for the showboating finish, when he took the ball round Heath, just keeping the ball in play, then walking along the goal and passing the ball into the back of the net. Sealing the three points for Carlton, and six within forty-eight hours.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Knight (Fitzpatrick 62), Fletcher, Walker, Marshall, Newton, Rae, Howell (C), Graham, Davie (Nangle 56), Gordon.

Unused Subs: Sturgess, Wholey, Hill.

Goal Scorers: Rae 1, 67, Gordon 19, Graham 89, 90+1.

Daventry Town: Heath, Hartley, Bukasa, Hill, Lee (C), Deacon, Creaney, Prinzel, Panzo-Antonio, Piggon, Curtis.

Subs: Childs, Champelovier.

Goal Scorers: Hill 28, Panzo-Antonio 86.

Attendance: 80

Man of the Match: Josh Rae