RAINWORTH made it seven wins out of seven in the NCEL Premier Division after beating local rivals Shirebrook Town 1-0 in a dour game at Kirklington Road.
James Whitehead struck the deciding goal 12 minutes from time to settle the contest and keep the Wrens firmly in touch with the top three teams.
Both sides went into the eagerly anticipated contest on top form, with Rainworth top of the league for
m table and lowly Shirebrook enjoying a return to form since the recent arrival of Dave Rhodes as manager.
But the difference in league placings was never evident as Town gave as good as they got, and they will have made the short journey home justly believing that they were worth a point.
However, they were unable to pierce a home defence in which Matt Draper's organisation and example was a feature.
Early corners were traded in a cautious opening by both sides, but Ant Lynam was off target for Rainworth with an eighth minute free kick from a central position following Brett Peel's foul on home debutant Nigel Jemson.
Danny Naylor for Rainworth and Pete Stubley for Shirebrook both sent efforts from distance over the respective bars, before Shirebrook made the first real threat of the match in the 13th minute.
Danny O'Donnell cut in along the left by-line and fed Chris Rhodes. Hales blocked and Lee Wilkinson was grateful to turn the rebound for a corner.
At the other end Lynam profited from an error by Lee Hunt to advance into a scoring position, but Frost did well to block the first effort and the prolific striker's follow-up on this occasion was wildly off target.
Then, following another Wrens corner, Frost charged down Lynam's header and Matt Baxter was crowded out before he could get anything onto the rebound.
For the rest of the first half both sides huffed and puffed but there was little sign of the deadlock being broken.
Both sides made half time changes, but Shirebrook had the first chance of the second period three minutes in, Dominic Jones putting Rhodes through, and Hales spreading himself to block the shot with his body.
Lynam then popped up in the left of the area with a shot on the turn which Frost parried behind for a corner, from which Jemson headed behind the far post.
Half time substitute McDonald made his presence felt for the Wrens with some lively bursts and Lynam went close again, but it was Town who were closest so far in the 62nd minute when Stubley's curling effort from the left just cleared the angle.
Another fine run from McDonald was not matched by the finish which was blazed well over from the 18-yard line.
But with 12 minutes remaining and the derby seemingly heading for a goalless draw a touch of pedigree quality by Jemson set up the deciding goal.
He provided a superbly weighted pass to Whitehead who remained onside, despite the appeals of the visiting contingent, to give Frost no chance with his shot from the right of the area.
And Rainworth almost added a second, which would have been harsh on the visitors, when another superb pass by Jemson set Julian Topliss in on goal. But Frost did very well to palm the finish to safety.
RAINWORTH: Hales, Fearon, Hollis (Topliss 68 mins), Wilkinson, Alberry (McDonald 45 mins, Draper, Jemson, Naylor, Baxter, Lynam, Whitehead. Sub not used: Charlesworth.
SHIREBROOK: Frost, Rowbottom, Davey, Storer, Hunt, Peel, Jones, Rhodes, Stubley, Crossland (Kistell 45 mins), O'Donnell. Subs not used: Bentley, Austin.
REFEREE: David Plowright of Clipstone.
ATTENDANCE: 157.
RAINWORTH MAN OF THE MATCH: Matt Draper.
SHIREBROOM MAN OF THE MATCH: Martin Rowbottom.
