With nothing left to play for this season manager Glenn Haylett was able to give some of his fringe players a run out and give some first choice players a rest ahead of the League Cup Final.

Nathan Drake came in for Eddie Thompson at the back and Harry Maddison was given a start up front. Mitch Forbes and Ben Gillies were drafted in to midfield.

Maddison almost got on the scoresheet within a minute of the start when he headed just over after a Nathan Thompson cross as Gorleston dominated the opening exchanges.

However, March took the lead in their first real attack. The Greens defence failed to clear the ball enabling Lawrie Brand to blast it into the net.

Gorleston responded immediately when Thompson broke superbly along the right and picked out Ricci Butler with his cross but Butler's effort was delected over.

James Richardson should have extended the March lead six minutes before the break when he was allowed to play on after appearing to be yards offside but luckily for the linesman the shot was lifted wide.

A minute before the break Gorleston got the goal they deserved when Jack Marsden worked extremely hard to keep the ball in play on the left. He pulled the ball back to Butler who's shot was saved but the ball fell to Maddison who stooped to nod it in off the post.

HALF TIME : GORLESTON 1 MARCH TOWN UTD 1

The Greens continued the second half on the front foot. A superb curling Butler cross was met by Thompson's head but he was unable to guide it in but Thompson made amends on the hour mark when he found himself through on goal and calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper.

Maddison picked up a knock and was replaced by Gary Ingram who then had almost a carbon copy of the Thompson goal but this time the keeper managed to tip it over.

March went in search of an equaliser with the diminutive Ashley Brand causing problems and it was he who made it 2-2 in the 83rd minute after turning defenders inside out before slotting the ball into the corner of the goal.

Ingram had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside then, with the game petering out into what looked a draw Butler popped up on the left and calmly beat the keeper at his near post to score the winner in the fourth minute of injury time.

At times it had been typical end of season stuff but on the plus side the players brought in did not look out of place and Ben Gillies, particularly in the first half, looked excellent.

FULL TIME : GORLESTON 3 MARCH TOWN UTD 2

Gorleston: Tom Marsden, Kyle Howell, Jack Marsden, John Bell (Richie Fruin 68), Adam Thurtle, Nathan Drake, Mitch Forbes (Gary Todd 68), Ben Gillies, Nathan Thompson, Harry Maddison (Gary Ingram 60), Ricci Butler

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