A late penalty from Martyn Davies ensured Market Drayton Town ended their long wait for a first victory of the season in Evo-Stik League division one south.

Davies slotted home an 80th minute spot kick against mid-table hosts Grantham to end Drayton’s 11-match league streak without a win.

It was a vital victory for Simon Line’s men who had double reason to celebrate as they clambered off the bottom of the table at the expense of Shepshed Dynamo.

“It has been a long time coming and it was a big relief,” said a delighted manager Line.

“There is still a lot of hard work to do but, in the last couple of weeks, we have got back to being very hard to beat.

“We had quite a few supporters come with us on the coach on Saturday so it was nice with the players to celebrate that first win with them on the way back.”

Drayton were forced to ride their luck in a first half dominated by Grantham.

Matt Milns gave the hosts a 23rd minute lead but Grantham should have had more to show for their efforts in the opening period.

The balance of power changed after the break, however, and a half-time reshuffle saw Drayton take control.

Dorryl Proffitt had twice gone close to a leveller at the start of the second period, but the equaliser finally came on 71 minutes when Tom Rodgers produced a neat lob.

The momentum was firmly with the visitors and they secured the victory late on when Davies converted a penalty after Steve Jagielka had been pushed in the back.

“Lady Luck was with us in the first half and we were fortunate to be only one goal behind,” added Line.

“But we completely dominated the second half.

“The only worry was how long we had to wait for the equaliser but when that came, there was only ever going to be one winner.”