Patched-up Market Drayton marched into the semi-finals of the Shropshire Challenge Cup with a fully deserved victory over near neighbours Whitchurch Alport.

Hot favourites Drayton were hit by the absence of 11 regulars, forcing management duo Simon Line and Delwyn Humphries to hit the phones to assemble a 12-man squad of fit and cup-qualified players.

Former captain Steve Jagielka was one to answer the call — coming out of retirement to slot in at right-back and help repel a spirited Alport challenge at a wet and windy Greenfields last night.

“We could have eight of the players back in for Saturday at home to Romulus in the league — that shows how good a job the lads who came in and played last night did for us,” said Line.

Whitchurch’s hopes of cashing in against a make-do-and-mend Drayton side foundered amid a fiery burst of three Town goals in the opening 35 minutes.

The ever-busy Tom Rogers got the first with a 12th minute penalty after keeper Nick Ashley had fouled clean-through Ward.

Stand-in centre-half skipper Duncan Swann-Horler reverted to his more usual attacking role by soaring spectacularly to head the second from a corner.

And Ward collected a third gifted by the Cheshire Leaguers, rolling a long-range shot into an empty net after Ashley had run out of his goal attempting a one-two and then losing the ball.

Alport. however, insisted on giving it a pretty good last shout. They fought back magnificently after the break, quickly making it 3-1 through Lee Constantine.

Swann-Horler, though, emphasised Drayton’s overall superiority by getting into the six yard box just minutes later to convert Tom Rogers’s fine cross with a diving header.

And when Whitchurch skipper Gavin Brocklehurst was sent off some 10 minutes later, his frustrations resulting in an ugly lunge at Ashley Burd, it really was all over.

“We paid for a poor first half performance,” said Alport boss Andy Allmark.

“All their goals were gifts really, and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

“In the second half we played well and showed a lot of character. We proved we are a good side.”