Two red cards – one for throwing a punch – two penalties, one of them superbly saved, and a good half dozen assorted bookings, writes TERRY MORRIS.

Sounds like a storming tussle between two teams determined to stop being backmarkers in the Evo-Stick League South doesn’t it?

Especially as visiting Stamford, without a league goal before their trip to Shropshire, chalked up what must rank as the division’s surprise score-line of the season so far.

But even the celebrations in their modest ranks were muted; this was definitely not a game to get excited about.

For, in the words of their manager, Simon Line, Market Drayton commited suicide.

“You can’t have two men sent off, give away two penalties and then have any expectations of winning,” he said.

How true. All an indifferent Stamford side had to do was be there and battle a bit to pick up the points.

Drayton bristled with intent early on, and even after Gary Anslow was sent off for a “last man” penalty foul on bustling breakaway raider Ricky Miller on 21 minutes they still looked capable of getting a result.

Buoyed when keeper-captain Andy Pryce superbly saved Dan Cotton’s spot kick, Town produced their best form of the game.

Mark Grice and Martin Davies went close and Nicky Porter, again matching Pryce as Town’s best performer, clipped the bar.

But it all changed a minute into the second half when Lee Beeson converted another penalty achieved by that man Miller.

To make matters worse, Grant Goodhead got himself sent off soon after, responding to the street-wise provocation of Miller with a punch as they jogged back from a Stamford attack.

Full back Ross Watson galloped forward to make Stamford safe with a 65th minute strike from the edge of the area and Miller provided fired a third to seal the win.