Alport let lead slip against eight men
Two late goals saw Whitchurch Alport slip to a 3-2 home defeat to eight-man Congleton Town.
Alport looked set for maximum North West Counties Premier Division points against the title-chasing visitors, who they had already beaten in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
But Saul Henderson and Bevan Burey both struck daggers deep into Alport hearts with an equaliser and unlikely winner.
The hosts had got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a penalty for handball just three minutes in.
But keeper Dave Parton guessed right and dived the right way to keep out Dan Cope’s spot-kick.
Tim Sanders put Whitchurch ahead on 15 minutes when he fired home from the edge of the box.
Parton made a fine save after a Congleton counter-attack and Jordan Cole forced the visiting shot-stopper into action.
But it was the second half where the drama was to come in front of a crowd of 214 at Yockings Park.
Steve Foster equalised for the Bears, heading in from close range after 61 minutes.
But their joy wasn’t to last and substitute Alex Hughes casually rolled a penalty into the bottom corner four minutes later to put Alport back ahead.
Refused
Congleton then completely lost the plot as Tom Schofield and Antony Griffith were both red-carded in the 77th minute during the same incident.
And, four minutes later, Mini Adegbenro was also given his marching orders after a crude tackle on youngster Callum O’Connor.
But the eight men refused to give up and Henderson brought them level after 88 minutes.
In added time the turnaround was complete when Burey, with fresh legs having only been on the field 10 minutes, latched on to a long ball forward.
He was able to outpace Leon Ashman and poke the ball beyond Parton and into the far corner of the net.
Whitchurch pressed in the dying seconds to try to force an equaliser, the closest they came saw an Arron Johns effort strike the outside of the post.
Luke Goddard’s men will aim to bounce back on Wednesday when they go to Runcorn Town.
Meanwhile, their league trip to 1874 Northwich, which was postponed last midweek, has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 29.
