BELOW-STRENGTH Nantwich were knocked off their perch at the top after an under-par performance at Buxton.

Ashley Carter missed a first-half penalty, but Buxton were equally guilty in the latter stages as honours finished even.

Dabbers manager Peter Hall said: "We made a poor side look good, although they were not over-threatening.

"For half an hour we played some great football in difficult conditions, but I was disappointed with our second-half performance. By our standards, we were not at our best.

"We had a number of opportunities to win the game, but were not firing."

Hall admitted he should have ordered Jake Sedgemore to take the 25th-minute penalty after Omar Mahmoud had been brought down.

He said: "Normally, Michael Lennon would have taken it, but he was not playing. I left it to whoever felt confident, but the keeper went to his left to save from Ashley Carter."

Substitute Rodney Jack grazed the top of the bar before the interval, but the second half produced few chances until Buxton were awarded their spot-kick on 75 minutes.

Dave Whittaker fouled Doryl Profitt, but Lee Jones made the save to earn his side their point.

Nantwich expect to be stronger by the time they travel to meet FC United on Wednesday.