The home side will have been bitterly disappointed at having lost the game after going in a goal ahead at half time. But Carlton showed some resilience in the second period even though they’d actually played better in the first half. And the goals from Davie and Nat Watson were excellent.
Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks named an unchanged side from the team which won at Belper last time out which meant a 200th Carlton appearance for the ever-reliable Dan Brown, a superb achievement. New loan signing Diego Edwards was on the bench.
Sheffield came into the game adrift at the foot of the table and the Millers, backed by a very credible 30 or so midweek travellers, went at Club from the kick off. A super ball from Watson sent Ollie Clark bursting clear on goal in just the third minute. His shot was saved by Mikey Roxburgh and cleared by Bradley Beatson before Clark could get to the loose ball.
Charlie Carter, playing wide on the right with Clark in a more advanced role just behind Liam Moran, then found Moran but his shot drew a tremendous block from Beatson.
Next it was Lamin Manneh’s turn to run at the home defence. He got to the edge of the box and then slipped the ball to Carter who shot high and wide from a good position.
Centre-half Dean Freeman then hit a volley from 20 yards that was well saved by Roxburgh.
With their first attack of the game Sheffield scored. A long ball was flicked on into the path of Luke Aldrich and he took a touch before hitting a rocket into the roof of the net giving Felix Annan no chance.
The goal buoyed the home side who were putting their bodies on the line to keep out the Millers. Carlton for their part continued to play some neat passing football on a reasonable surface, but found it more difficult to break through the Club rearguard. Khyle Sargent was controlling the middle of the park and along with Watson moving the ball well. Manneh did have a shout for a penalty at one point, albeit so did Sheffield shortly afterwards, and Watson volleyed wide shortly before half time from a Lewis Durow cross.
Another fine move early in the second half saw Carter send Moran into the area but the striker’s touch was heavy and the chance went.
Sheffield were far more in the game in the second period and had a spell of pressure when Annan saved from Archie White and Luke Mangham fired wide. Carlton brought on Davie and Edwards to provide additional threat and within five minutes of their introduction they were level. A fantastic cross from the left from Carter was met by a powerful header from Watson into the corner of the net.
It was game on now. Brown and Freeman had to be alert and Michael Ford and Durow nipped in with some key interceptions. Annan made another save from Aldrich while at the other end another substitute, Niall Hylton, drew a decent save from Roxburgh.
A point didn’t really suit either side and Carlton finished the game with only three defenders as they went for the win. Sheffield went close with a last-minute corner before the referee signalled six minutes of added time. In the third of those minutes Carlton won the game in dramatic fashion. A lovely move involving Lawrence Gorman, Hylton and Watson saw the ball squared to Davie and he curled home a delicious strike from outside the area into the top corner to spark scenes amongst the travelling support behind the goal and a delirious celebration amongst the players, with Annan sprinting 100 yards to join in with the entire team.
Carlton saw out the remaining minutes comfortably to secure another valuable win in their push for the playoffs.
Carlton Town: F Annan, M Ford (L Gorman 84), L Durow (N Hylton 84), D Brown, D Freeman, C Carter, N Watson, K Sargent, L Manneh (G Tempest 90+5), O Clark (N Davie 59), L Moran (D Edwards 59).
Goals: N Watson 64, N Davie 90+3; Luke Aldrich 22
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Nat Watson
Att: 263
