Battling effort from Market Drayton Town

Battling for an equaliser after going two goals down in the first half, Drayton were looking increasingly dangerous when Paul Shanley skilfully scored Runcorn’s third in the 84th minute.

Drayton’s man-of-the-match keeper Ash Rawlins got a hand to the ball, struck superbly from the edge of the six yard box, but could not stop it.

Still Drayton sought to hit back but with the tempo – and tempers – rising, their efforts effectively ended with the departure of Lyndon Campbell, red carded for an offence which appeared to warrant no more than a caution at most.

And to add insult to injury the 90th minute brought a penalty, placed well beyond Rawlins’ reach by Louis Corrigan.

Ironically, this was about the only decision Town manager Martyn Davies thought the match officials got anywhere near right.

“We suffered some really strange decision making,” he said. “With the home side out to bounce back from a 5-0 defeat at Kidsgrove and us keen to get on track after losing to Kendal Town again, the game needed a strong referee.

“We didn’t get one. I fully accept it’s a fiendishly difficult job and everyone has an of day but we deserved far, far better.”

Runcorn’s star high-scoring signing Tom Bailey had his debut blighted by Rawlins saving his seventh minute penalty but a minute later Pete Wylie eased disappointment in the predominantly local crowd of near 400 by heading home a corner.

With a strong wind in their favour, Runcorn continued to dominate and Bailey belatedly got on the scoresheet with a fine far-post header six minutes before the break.

Four minutes into the second half however, Town were back with a big shout, Joshua Bradbury making it 2-1 with yet another headed goal

It was Runcorn’s turn to face the storm as Town repeatedly threatened an equaliser, notably through their flankers, Ryan McLean and Jordan Davies – but then Shanley changed everything.

It proved a tough day for St Martins who slumped 4-0 at home to promotion hopefuls Wythenshawe Amateurs in the Hallmark North West Counties League division one south.

The mid-table Saints were always up against it, despite surviving early on as George Austin pulled off a penalty save to keep his side on terms at Park Hall.

However, struggling to establish themselves, the hosts fell behind when Jordan Burton put the Manchester side ahead on 14 minutes after latching onto a loose ball.

Hopes of retrieving the game faded four minutes after the break when Benjamin Woods latched onto a stray back pass, before two late goals sealed the Saints' fate.

With the hosts pushing, Woods got his second 10 minutes from time before Harry Shipton complete the scoring in the last minute.

Defeat sees St Martins remain ninth in the table, while Wythenshawe are third, four points off top spot.

Struggling Ellesmere Rangers also slumped 4-0 at Stockport Town as their relegation plight deepened.

Following a goalless first half, the Beech Grove men never recovered after Thomas Greenfield broke the deadlock five minutes into the second period.

William Holt made it 2-0 on 64 minutes before George Blackwell (73) and Kiarno Samms, with an injury time penalty, sealed the points for the Cheshire hosts.

FC Oswestry Town, who have surged into the upper reaches of the table after four wins and draw, were without any league action.

They have now slipped down one place to seventh, but are still only five points off second with a game in hand.