RAINWORTH Miners Welfare were the big winners among our local non-league football teams on the weekend.

Substitute Matt Millns popped up with an 87th minute winner to turn a seven-goal see-saw of a match against Market Drayton Town in a 4-3 home win for the Wrens.

Millns rose to nod home after Alex Ford had headed a deep corner back into the six-yard box, to provide the Wrens with their first home win and their first Saturday points of the season in Evo-Stik First Division South.

Skipper Craig Mitchell put Wrens ahead on 28 minutes, but Jack Watson levelled.

After the break, Tommy Hannigan's header restored Wrens' lead only for Watson to level again.

Sub Aidan Haughton had the visitors in front, before Ford again squared matters and veteran Millns had the final say.

Carlton lie 20th in the same division, just a point above bottom, after a 3-1 home defeat to Norton United.

New signing Tom Maddison produced a man of the match display and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe gave Millers a 28th-minute lead, but Aaron Hooton missed a penalty and a Paul Taylor strike before the break and a second half double from Lee Cropper were the difference.

In the Premier Division, Ilkeston FC's seven-game unbeaten run came to a disappointing end at the New Manor Ground as they went down 4-2 against newly-promoted Ramsbottom United.

All the goals came in the second half as four goals in 11 minutes swung the game in United's favour as Cedric Krou, Scott Burton and Jordan Hulme netted – although Che Adams had made it 2-1 in between this with a fine effort.

Adams also played a part as Dominic Smalley's own goal made it 3-2, but Tom Williams bagged a fourth on 74 minutes to clinch victory.

Basford United turned in a solid performance to win 2-0 at Stourport Swifts thanks to goals from Lee and Stuart Hendrie in the Midland Football League Premier.

Lee Hendrie (pictured) controlled a pass from Fabian Smith before scoring with a low shot from the edge of the area five minutes from half time.

After the break, Stuart Hendrie made it 2-0 in the 64th minute, following up to net the rebound after Blair Anderson's shot had been blocked by home keeper Brendon Bunn.

Basford had to play the last quarter of an hour with ten men after Smith saw red for dissent.

They lead the standings by one point from Long Eaton United, who won 2-1 at Boldmere St Michaels.

In a local derby in the NCEL Premier Division, a big crowd turned out to see Worksop Town beat Retford United 7-0 thanks to two goals each from Andre Johnson, Connor Sellars and Luke Shiels, as well as an own goal.

League new boys Kimberley Miners Welfare top the EMCFL standings after a 3-0 home win over Graham Street Prims, while in the same division Radford drew 1-1 at Blaby & Whetstone thanks to Phil Hinton's second-half equaliser.

Selected non-league football results:

Conference: Alfreton Town 1 Nuneaton Town 0

Evo-Stik Premier Division: FC United of Manchester 3 Grantham Town 1, Ilkeston FC 2 Ramsbottom United 4

Evo-Stik First Division South: Carlton Town 1 Norton United 3, Rainworth MW 4 Market Drayton Tn 3

Midland Football League: Boldmere St M 1 Long Eaton United 2, Causeway United 1 Shepshed Dynamo 0, Dunkirk 1 Walsall Wood 4, Stourport Swifts 0 Basford United 2

NCEL Premier: Parkgate 1 Bridlington Town 1, Worksop Town 7 Retford United 0

NCEL Division One: AFC Mansfield 3 AFC Emley 1, Knaresborough 1 Bottesford Town 2, Rossington Main 2 Teversal 2, Shirebrook Town 2 Louth Town 1

East Midlands Counties League: Blaby & Whetstone 1 Radford 1, Gedling Miners Welfare 0 Ellistown & Ibstock United 2, Greenwood Meadows 2 Aylestone Park 2, Holbrook S 2 Arnold Town 0, Kimberley MW 3 Graham Street Prims 0, Radcliffe Olympic 0 Ashby Ivanhoe 1

LABOUR is calling for a rise in the National Minimum Wage to £8 to combat "the fall in living standards" it claims has occurred in the last four years. 

The party's leader, Ed Miliband, will deliver the proposal in his speech at the Labour Party conference on Sunday in Manchester, promising to increase the minimum wage by around £1.50 by 2020.

"It is about values," Miliband told The Guardian. "It is about saying that this country does not work for millions of working people and we are going to change it. It is not business as usual. It is a proper plan for your future."

The announcement of a rise has received some backing from the British Chamber of Commerce, but its director general, John Longworth, said the approach must be "evidence based."

"There is no doubt that the widening pay gap and a lack of social mobility is detrimental to the UK economy," he said. "As the economy continues to improve, businesses agree that the minimum wage must rise.

"However, businesses are in favour of an evidence based approach to the minimum wage rather than political parties using it to gain support from voters. The government should not intervene in such matters, unless there is market failure. 

"Politicians should instead focus on implementing policies to raise productivity and improve skills in the workplace – which are the keys to higher wages for all in the future."

A Nottingham charity is appealing for help to find the owners of two stray dogs discovered over the weekend. 

The two female German Shepherd cross breeds were found on Saturday by Nottingham City Stray Dogs on the A453 in Clifton without any ID. 

But it is far from a one off occurrence. 

A young male Staffordshire Bull Terrier was found in Sneinton on Thursday wearing a red collar, but with no microchip.

And yet another young male dog of the same breed was found on Fenwick Road in Broxtowe on Friday  

If you have any information about the owners, call 0115 9152020 or 07943824573.

DESPITE being held to a point at Millwall, Nottingham Forest maintained their place at the top as others around them also dropped points.

Second-placed Norwich City were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham City as Cameron Jerome scored twice against his former club to help the Canaries come back from being 2-0 down at Carrow Road.

Watford also failed to win, dropping to fourth in the process, as they needed a late goal from Craig Cathcart in a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth, who missed an early penalty through Ian Harte before going ahead in the second half thanks to Harry Arter's superb 30-yard strike.

Wolves now sit third thanks to a 1-0 home win over Bolton, given to them by Nouha Dicko's first-half header.

The big winners in the Championship were Middlesbrough who thumped Brentford 4-0, with Chelsea loanee and former Forest youth Patrick Bamford getting one of the goals with a header.

Managerless Fulham remain bottom after a 1-0 home loss to Blackburn , while Blackpool picked up their second point of the season when earning a 0-0 draw at Brighton.

There were six draws in total as visitors Cardiff, also without a manager, held Derby County 2-2.

Results: Watford 1 Bournemouth 1, Brighton 0 Blackpool 0, Derby 2 Cardiff 2, Fulham 0 Blackburn 1, Leeds 3 Huddersfield 0, Middlesbrough 4 Brentford 0, Millwall 0 Nottm Forest 0, Norwich 2 Birmingham 2, Rotherham 1 Charlton 1, Sheff Wed 1 Reading 0, Wolves 1 Bolton 0

NOTTINGHAM is the STI capital of the East Midlands, new figures have revealed.

Nearly 5,000 new cases of infections such as herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis were reported in the city in 2013 – up from 4,240 the year before.

Cases of herpes increased from 176 to 273 and

The number of people aged 15-24 going to their doctor with chlamydia increased from 1,889 to 2,071, with the number of people aged 25-and-over with the condition increasing from 571 to 726.

Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, Ashfield had 1,090 new cases of sexually transmitted infections, according to the data from Public Health England.

Mansfield was next with 988, then Gedling with 913.

Broxtowe had 745 and Rushcliffe 608 new cases.

Speaking about sexual health, Dr Immy Ahmed-Jushuf from Nottingham University Hospitals said: "It is a very simple message if you are in a non-regular relationship – use protection."

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Wildlife Trust has started a new campaign to protect the population of nightjars in Sherwood Forest.

The organisation hopes to raise £1 million to rebuild over 1,200 acres of land to create a happy home for the endangered birds.

There are currently about 70 pairs of nightjars in the forest, but this specialised heath land will help grow numbers and ensure the birds have a strong future in the county.

As well as rebuilding the land, the money will be used to raise awareness of the plight of the species through education in schools and other partnership projects.

The Trust, with help from the Birklands Ringing Group and the University of Nottingham, is also working on a tagging project so the activity of the birds can be monitored, whether there at home in Sherwood or on their winter vacation in Africa.

Around 20 birds have been tagged so far and will be tracked using specialised satellite tracking equipment by students from the university.

Andrew Lowe, leader of the ringing group, told the BBC: "People often think about saving the rain forests and forget there are many rare species and habitats on our doorstep."

Nightjars are nocturnal birds with pointed wings and a long tail, similar to a kestrel, and called "goatsuckers" because of folklore that said they sucked the milk from goats

There are now just 4,600 breeding males left in the UK. 

PLANS for a new supermarket could create around 200 jobs.

Mulberry Developments, in partnership with Sainsbury's, applied for planning permission this week to develop the former county council highways depot in Newark.

The site, off Great North Road, has lay derelict for two years but developers want to turn the area into a supermarket with a petrol station.

Jeremy Stone, 67, of Lover's Lane, welcomed the jobs for the area but questioned the need for another supermarket.

The retiree said: "It's better they built the store here and had the jobs for local people.

"But do we need another supermarket? We've got loads here already with Morrisons, Aldi and Asda.

"More choice is good obviously and the investment is good for the town, but is there a market for it?"

Mulberry Developments Director, Oliver King, said: "The development will bring employment, regeneration, enhanced shopping choice and highways improvements, and we hope we can count on vocal support during the planning process to show that local people want this development to come forward."

The supermarket would be 31,000sq ft and have space for more than 260 cars.

New pedestrian crossing facilities and improved cycle and pedestrian links to the town centre are also being proposed.

A public consultation on the plans was held in June, with the company saying that 80 per cent of people were in favour.

David Lazenby, Sainsbury's Town Planning Manager, said: "The new store and petrol station plans have received a lot of support locally.

"We're really keen to provide jobs for local people, as well as offer greater access to Sainsbury's products, so we're asking resident to show the district council that they want this new store and all the benefits it will deliver for Newark."

The plans will have to go before Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee before the development can start.

RESEARCHERS from the University of Nottingham are developing liquid bone tissue to help people with osteoporosis.

The idea is that the paste, made of porous calcium phosphate microspheres, could encourage the growth of new bones thanks to the stem cells inside it.

The hope is it could be delivered threw an injection, meaning the treatment would be quick, easy and non-invasive.

Dr Ifty Ahmed is leading the team and presented his findings to scientists gathered at a regenerative medical conference.

The treatment will be aimed at older people, who are increasing in numbers and are more at risk from fracture.

He said: "Our aim would be to use screening to spot people who are at risk, then strengthen their bones before they get fractures.

"It means that rather than waiting until people have a fall and break something, we would try to stop that ever happening, along with the consequences, loss of independence, surgery and secondary illnesses."

The paste hasn't been tested on human beings yet. 

UKIP has selected its candidate to fight the Newark seat at next May's general election.

The battle in Newark follows the by-election earlier in the year wherethe party came second to the Conservatives, with Robert Jenrick winning the seat by 7,000 votes.

Accountant Brian Mapletoft was unanimously elected as UKIP's prospective parliamentary candidate by Newark by the local branch last week.

Mr Mapletoft was brought up in Claypole and attended the Magnus school in the town.

He lives in Buckinghamshire and is chair of the Wycombe District Association of Local Councils.

He said that quality in local schools, fighting windfarms and saving Newark Hospital will be his focus for the election.

The Tories have chosen current MP Robert Jenrick as their candidate, and Labour Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council.

THE leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has added his voice to those who are calling for greater devolution of powers following the Scottish referendum.

Scotland voted no to independence last week but local government leaders have used the vote to lobby Government for more control over finances.

And Labour's Alan Rhodes has said Government should "seize the moment"

He added: "We are asking for locally-elected, community-based politicians to make decisions which address local challenges and concerns."

But Mr Rhodes said he doesn't want to see power only handed to the Core Cities – a group of the country's biggest cities which includes Nottingham.

He said: "Devolving powers and funding to the core cities, whilst ignoring the rest of us, will just not do.

"This must be proper devolution for all – not just a handful of cities.

"The greatest capacity for growth lies outside the cities, and the people that live there deserve the same powers, funding and opportunities as everyone else."

Police are still on the hunt for a man in connection with a robbery at Tesco Express, in Nottingham Road, Eastwood.

The force has now released a image of the man caught on CCTV following the incident on Monday September 15 at around 10.30pm.

Officers had been called to the scene after the man entered the store with a crowbar, jumped over the counter and stole cash from the till.

He is described as white, around 5"10 tall and wearing bright blue Adidas jacket, black tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe down the side, black trainers and a balaclava.

He left the scene towards Eastwood town centre in a red hatchback-type vehicle.

If you recognise him contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 977 of 15 September.

Two brothers involved in the shooting of a man in his groin have been jailed for nearly 30 years.

Tristan Caunt, 32, of Lobelia Close, St Ann's, fired a shot through Jamaine McKenzie's letterbox with his wife and four children inside.

Caunt was jailed on September 22 for 16 years at Nottingham Crown Court.

His brother, Daniel Butler, 30, of Highland Court, Basford, received 13 years.

The court heard Butler drove Caunt to the scene of the shooting in Cross Lane, Huthwaite.

They were found guilty earlier this month of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The jury had been unable to reach a verdict on a third accused, Khaream Chatterie, 26, of Colwick Road, Sneinton, who had been with them in the car that night.

The prosecution offered no evidence against him on the same firearms charge, which he denied.

Mr Chatterie had claimed he was forced at gunpoint to go with his co-accused from Nottingham to Huthwaite in the early hours of February 8.

Judge Gregory Dickinson said: "The prosecution, after proper reflection, have offered no evidence. His [Mr Chatterie's] presence at the scene is essentially neutral."

The court had heard Mr McKenzie was behind his letterbox when he was shot in his home in Cross Lane.

He spent a night in hospital with injuries to his hip and thigh that were not life-threatening.

Judge Dickinson reminded the brothers Mr McKenzie's wife called emergency services in absolute terror as she heard the shot being fired.

"You left the scene and returned the shotgun so it has never been recovered," said the judge.

"The aggravating features are that a shotgun was fired, it was fired into a house – the home of a family including four young children – in the middle of the night in a residential street.

"Two of you drove a considerable distance collecting a shotgun and ammunition along the way."

Police have released a CCTV image of a man in connection with the indecent assault of an elderly woman.

The incident took place at the car park of the former Mansfield Bus Station, in Rosemary Street, on Friday August 15.

The man is described as white and in his mid 40s.

He is about 5ft 6ins tall, clean cut, has a slim build and was wearing a blue and white checked shirt and dark blue jeans.

If you recognise him contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Snap-happy runner Andy Wallis has been keeping a photographic diary of his daily jogs.

The 41-year-old dad of Brisbane Drive, Stapleford, started pounding the pavements back in January after he pledged to run 5K a day, for a year, to raise cash for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

The photographer, who captures the good, the bad and soggy, to keep entertained while out on his half hour runs will also be taking part in the Ikano Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday September 28.

He said: "I started taking pictures of nice sunsets and wildlife on my phone to relive the boredom of running.

"It was kind of turning into a diary of my project but then I realised it wasn't a very true picture as I wasn't taking photos of the rain and mud so i started doing that too.

"I may turn it into a book when I am finished."

Mr Wallis completed the half marathon back in 2010 after being inspired by Eddie Izzard's running feats for Sport Relief.

He said: "As I crossed the finish line I really felt like I had achieved something.

"But that lasted about five seconds when I found out that it had taken me two hours and 35 minutes - it's a time that has become engrained in my brain.

"I want to do a better job this time, I'd like to get through in under two hours, not two hours and five minutes, not even two hours and a second.

"I think I would rather be well over two hours than just a second over, that would drive me mad."

Mr Wallis, who offers his photographic services to Nottinghamshire Hospice for free, hopes running the half marathon will boost his fundraising total for the charity, which currently stands at £2,600.

He said: "The hospice do a lot of events, and I was at one back in January where they started speaking about a young guy who had a form of motor-neuron disease, he was a footballer, a very active guy, but it got the best of him and it makes you think.

"The story choked me up and made me want to raise more money for he charity."

As well as raising money for a good cause Mr Wallis' daily run, which he hasn't missed since January 26, has had some welcomed side effects.

He said:"I lost two and a half stone through diet alone but then I put it all back on because I love cake too much, well actually it like me too much.

"But with the running it has fallen off again and now I have a 32 inch waist - it's the smallest it has been in 20 years."

Keeping fit runs in the family and Mr Wallis' son Joshua, 12, will be running the mini marathon on Sunday.

Richard Owen, Nottinghamshire Hospice's community and challenges fundraiser, said: "Every year we have to raise over £4m to continue offering our services free of charge to Nottinghamshire's communities, so fundraisers like Andy who are willing to put so much hard work and dedication into our cause are an absolute inspiration.

"Not content with running 5km a day for an entire year for us, he's also taking on the Robin Hood half marathon. And he's not even having a day off, I can't imagine how tired he will be after the race. He is, without a doubt, a Hospice Hero."