VIDEO: Frater brace helps Dunstable Town to Marlow victory

A second half Nathan Frater brace was enough to earn Dunstable Town a 2-0 victory over Marlow in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Saturday.

As a result Dunstable are second, one point behind new leaders Barton Rovers.

A club spokesman said: “This was a tough but workmanlike win against a team that was intent on breaking down our creativity.

“It will be typical of the matches to come, where rewards come only through persistence. Striker Lee Roache was out injured but it was good to see Frater get the rewards he deserves for his consistent hard work.”

In an even first half chances fell to both sides, with the best efforts coming from Marlow’s Jason Downes, Jon Bennett and Ian Davies, while two Christopher Marsh efforts brought fine saves from Simon Grant, who also held a fierce drive from Danny Hutchins.

The second half saw Marlow forced try and contain their hosts, while looking to play on the counter.

Increased Dunstable probing saw them take the lead on 68 minutes when Frater cut in from the right and screwed in a shot from a narrow angle that crept in at the far post.

Two minutes later Frater doubled his tally when a neat pass from substitute Tony Fontanelle saw the keeper committed and Frater was able to play round him and slot the ball into an empty net.

A late rally from Marlow saw Jamie Head tip Ian Davies’ fine strike on the bar, before recovering to pull off an astonishing save to deny Bennett’s goal-bound follow-up.

Dunstable head to Merthyr Town in FA Trophy second round qualifying on Saturday.

Blues: Jamie Head, Damen Pickering (Tony Fontanelle), Danny Hutchins, Joe Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Tony Burnett (Danny Murphy), Nathan Frater, Leon Cashman, (Warren Plowright), Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Thomas Silford, Jack Smith.

Blues: Simon Grant, Chris Ovenden, Jordan Lee-Brown, Simeon Howell, Alex Salmon, Danny Lingwood (C), Tom Moran, Ben Gladwin, Ian Davies, Jason Downes, Jon Bennett. Substitutes used: Richie Whittngton, Michael Bartley. Substitutes not used: Shane Maskell, Zac Gill, Jordan Eggleton.

Referee: Andy Aylott.

Assistant Referees: Karl Tribe and Simon Parberry.

Attendance: 101.

Star Blue: Nathan Frater.