Market Drayton goal hero Tom Ward is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring the winner with just over ten minutes to go in the FA Vase clash against the VT. Picture: Alex Taylor

Market Drayton Town took a giant leap towards the golden arch of Wembley with a 2-1 victory against VTFC in the fourth round of the FA Vase.

Tom Ward’s 79th minute winner put Drayton into the last 16 of the national competition – and just three wins away from a dream final at the iconic home of English football. 

It was a deserved victory for the Midland Alliance promotion-hopefuls, but they had to do it the hard way after Southampton based VT had cancelled out Duncan Horler’s early strike. 

Drayton were in the ascendancy from the off with Horler hooking a shot against the post from Martyn Davies’ long throw after just two minutes. 

Three minutes later and another Davies long throw caused chaos in the VT area and this time Horler was on target with an acrobatic volley to put the locals ahead. 

Drayton goalkeeper Andrew Pryce was forced into a fine double save on 19 minutes as VT came alive before Tyronne Bowers lashed an effort into the side netting. 

Line’s side should have widened the gap before half time but Ward contrived to head wide from five yards and minutes later the same striker could not finish one-on-one after being put through by Davies. 

The visitors had the wind advantage in the second half but Drayton had the first chance, Ward was unlucky not to find the empty net from an impossible angle after beating the keeper to a loose ball. 

Horler then clipped the bar with a header before VT drew level on 64 minutes, Paul Sales the scorer from close range after a wind-assisted freekick. 

VT now had some momentum and a Sales shot squirmed through Pryce’s body but bobbled wide of the post before Lee Bright powered a header against the woodwork.

Drayton responded by throwing on lightening fast Nicky Porter for the tiring Davies, and the move paid off off immediately with 11 minutes remaining.

Jason Francis found the lively midfielder down the line and his low and firm cross was perfect for Ward to force the ball home from inside a crowded penalty area.

That was the striker’s 10th goal of the season, and by far the most important.

VT’s heads dropped and Drayton may have made the scoreline more convincing moments later but the visitor’s ‘keeper responded well to block Craig Ryan’s fierce low drive.

Jubilant celebrations followed the final whistle, but there may well be much more to come from this plucky Drayton side.

By Sean Wozencroft