Market Drayton's winning run ends but eyes now turn to cup derby

Market Drayton Town eye a return to winning ways in Shropshire derby knockout cup action at Greenfields on Saturday.

Dave Lloyd’s troops saw a three-match winning streak end last weekend with a tough 3-0 defeat at Bilston Town after being reduced to 10 men.

The Gingerbread Men take a break from North West Counties First Division South action to begin their Macron Cup campaign at home to county rivals Allscott Heath.

The North West Counties’ Macron Cup sees clubs from the two First Division tiers lock horns.

There is precious little to separate Drayton, in 10th, and 11th-placed Allscott in First Division South.

Lloyd’s men are one point better off, having played one match fewer.

In-form Town had won three matches on the spin in the league, beginning with a 2-1 win away at Allscott in late August.

But that streak ended last weekend with a testing reverse in the Black Country.

Play-off chasing hosts Bilston proved too strong for their visitors, and Drayton were not helped by falling behind after just 14 seconds and being reduced to 10 men in the first period.

A horror start saw the hosts’ Harry Dixon convert after Bilston had got around goalkeeper Ash Rawlins from the first ball forward.

Drayton’s Bayley Bateman was given his marching orders midway through the first half for appearing to strike out at a home player with both men on the deck.

Jordan Crump doubled Bilston’s lead five minutes into the second period on the rebound and Darragh Bustin netted a fine individual goal with 20 minutes remaining.

This Saturday’s visitors Allscott arrive at the Balufab Stadium on the back of two high-scoring victories, 7-1 and 4-1 over Wednesday and Alsager respectively,

Drayton return to league action with a home clash against New Mills on Saturday week, October 3. Town were 2-1 winners at Mills in Derbyshire earlier in September.