The wait goes on for Market Drayton Town as they missed a second opportunity to wrap up the Midland Alliance title at Greenfields after suffering their first home defeat of the season, writes JAMES GARRISON.

Drayton, who failed to secure the victory they needed at Rocester on Wednesday, required just a point from their clash with second placed Barwell but were beaten 2-0 in front of a crowd of 160.

The Shropshire side still appear certain to wrap up the championship as they are six points clear of Barwell and boasting an advantage of 25 on goal difference.

But they have the chance to remove any doubt tomorrow when a home draw against Highgate will be enough to start the celebrations. Drayton’s cause on Saturday wasn’t helped when they found themselves a man light after just 10 minutes when Gary Anslow was sent off for a professional foul.

“There were three or four other players around the area of the ball so whether Gary was the last man is very debatable,” said manager Simon Line.

“But the ref made his decision and we had to get on with it from there.”

While chances were few and far between for Drayton, they did manage to restrict Barwell’s goal-scoring threat for much of the game.

But the visitors grabbed the all-important opener with just 14 minutes remaining when Nigel Julien let fly with a shot from fully 25 yards which crept into the bottom corner.

Drayton had chances to land what would have been a title-winning leveller with Tom Ward heading fractionally wide and Stuart Ellis hitting a shot across the face of goal.

But their hopes of wrapping up the championship were ended when Richard Letts hit a long-range screamer into the top corner, to leave Line disappointed a big crowd hadn’t witnessed the title celebrations.

“The supporters were fantastic and they got behind the team and created a good atmosphere,” he added. “It was disappointing not to get it finished but hopefully there will be another good tun-out tomorrow night and we can wrap it up then.

“We are aware it would take a miracle for us not to win it now but we want to make sure mathematically.”