Market Drayton's Nicky Porter, left, is sent flying by Dave Farrell. Both men were later sent off by referee Steven Plane

Market Drayton Town shrugged off injury, illness and suspension worries to record an emphatic victory over Stamford in the UniBond League, writes TERRY MORRIS.

A big plus in Town’s second win in a row has been the performance of Town players who were on the fringes of selection just a few weeks ago.

Saturday’s success in an eventful, entertaining, encounter worthy of more than a meagre 85-strong gate, built on an equally impressive midweek win at Leek.

In both games, Town’s patched up team played very well – and the controversy of having two players sent off Saturday only added value-for-money to the encounter.

Drayton’s Nicky Porter got a straight red from off-form ref Steven Plane in the first half for an unlucky tackle.

It was mistimed and deserved a yellow card but far from malicious and, in addition to angering Drayton, it seemed to surprise Stamford as much as Porter’s stunning first strike of the game on 13 minutes.

Winning possession with a tackle deep in his own half, he beat three men in a devastating weaving dash through the centre of Stamford’s defence before wrong footing keeper Chris Wright and rapping the ball home.

Ten-man Town did well to hold Stamford’s spirited start to the second half but the way they extended their lead, with Jamie Haynes’ well-hit 68th minute pressure penalty, was mite flattering.

Referee Plane ruled that Wright had felled Martyn Davies inside the box while many argued otherwise – including David Farrell, who was sent off.

Mr Plane added to the controversy of his decision by not giving Wright his marching orders for what was clearly a greater offence than backchatting!

But it could be said it all worked out for the best. Now on even terms at 10 men apiece, Town and Stamford were well matched and both went about serving up some surprisingly good attacking football with commendable zeal in the closing stages.

Davies made it three for Town with a deflected 82nd minute shot that looped over the unfortunate Wright while Stamford kept the home defence at full stretch.

They probably felt they deserved more than a 90th minute consolation goal from Paul Malone – but arguments over the final margin could not overshadow the fact that Town’s plucky and purposeful performance deserved maximum points.

Assistant manager Steve McCormick and coach Murphy were full of praise for their team afterwards but less enthusiastic about the part the match officials played.

Murphy, with studied politeness, said: “We have had some really good officials at our matches all season; these were not really good.”

It just wasn’t Mr Plane’s day. At one stage, with thick, black-as-pitch storm clouds darkening the ground, he called for floodlighting . . . and a few minutes later, everyone was bathed in brilliant sunshine!

By Terry Morris