Since his brief Buxton stay, the slightly built winger has starred for the likes of Alfreton, Harrogate Town and Bradford and the quality of his shooting was the difference between two otherwise evenly matched teams.

The Bucks enjoyed a greater share of possession but couldn't match Bettney's sharp-shooting from the few clear openings they did create.

The euphoria from the Stocksbridge success lasted a mere two minutes before Bettney pounced.

Home defenders allowed a ball to bounce close to their penalty area and Bettney fired unerringly into the top corner of the net.

The Bucks responded positively with Steve Ridley going close with a 25 yard curling free kick, followed later by a dangerous cross from the left flank that ex-Alfreton keeper James Lindley tipped over the bar.

In between these efforts, wide man Kieran Lugsden went even closer to achieving parity for his team.

He first saw a close range strike headed off the line and within minutes he headed over the bar from a Neil Stevens lofted pass.

Buxton also forced several unproductive corners before Bettney doubled Retford's advantage on 34 minutes.

After a left flank break the ball fell nicely for the winger to find the bottom corner of the net from virtually the same spot that he had struck his first, though a distinct deflection did help him.

The second half began with Retford's ex-Gainsborough centre-half Nicky Ellis putting a free header over the bar from a right-wing corner while veteran striker Mick Godber turned Sam Liversidge only to shoot high over the bar, a move which prompted the home management to introduce substitute Tommy Agus to the heart of the defence.

A double substitution at three quarter time, with Gavin Knight and the injured Scott Maxfield being replaced, was a further attempt to find an end product and a goal nearly came after 68 minutes when Jon Froggatt turned sharply but his low cross shot passed wide of the far post.

Thereafter the home side's best and most spectacular effort came in added time when an Agus 35-yard pile driver was turned away from the top corner by Lindley.

Match Report Courtesy of the Buxton Advertiser