Shifnal Town fall to defeat again with clash abandoned and AFC Bridgnorth soar on - round-up

Struggling Shifnal Town slumped to a sixth successive defeat as two second-half goals earned victory for high-flying hosts Prescot Cables.

Town have fallen to 12th in Northern Premier West at step four with the run of defeats and have lost ground on the sides battling it out for the play-off positions.

A bright start to the season under former boss Connor Patterson has waned with new boss Elliott Bennett looking to inspire a turnaround in form.

New recruit striker Zidan Sutherland started at Prescot but the Merseyside hosts were too strong with the assistance of a penalty inside 10 minutes of the second period after former Shrewsbury youngster Jack Loughran was dragged down.

Sharif Deans netted from the spot and the hosts bagged a late second through Ryan Tioffo.

Mid-table Whitchurch Alport were held to a point on the road at bottom-half Stockport Georgians in Midland League Premier action.

Alport frontman Dan Cocks fired an equaliser 10 minutes before the break after an early Georgians opener, but the hosts then had Will Wareing dismissed following a confrontation.

The visitors were left frustrated by a wastefulness in front of goals as they Jayson Starkey’s men were unable to make the man advantage count.

A serious injury for Market Drayton Town’s Joe Perry saw a clash away to Barnton abandoned on the hour in the North West Counties League.

Hosts Barnton were 3-0 up by the time officials waved the clash off due to the injury as new signing Perry’s dislocated elbow required hospital treatment. It was an unusual finish to new boss Liam Kelly’s first game at the helm of the Greenfields club, who are one place above the dropzone.

A league decision will be made on the fate of the abandoned fixture.

Elsewhere, high-flying AFC Bridgnorth climbed above rivals Stafford Town with an impressive 4-1 home victory over their rivals.

Fourth-placed Bridgnorth are in touching distance of top spot, just four points from the summit but with three games in hand on the leaders.

The Meadow Men hit back from a 25th-minute deficit, as De Quarnai Williams and Sam Preece hit back for a half-time lead before goals in the final 20 minutes from Suar Dedja and Charlie Clark sealed an impressive victory.

In-form Dawley Town have powered into the top 10 with an impressive 3-1 comeback victory at lowly Crewe.

The Cheshire hosts led 10 minutes before the break and and it took until after the hour for Kane Lewis to equalise. Quickfire goals from Macauley Taylor and Cian Fenlon 13 minutes from time secured another win.

Allscott Heath are eighth, one place above Dawley, with a fine 4-0 win over Wednesfield courtesy of a George Cross hat-trick.

They featured two goals from the penalty spot, with Kian Newnes also on target.

Lowly Telford Town are bottom of the pile, seven points adrift of safety, after a 6-0 home defeat to leaders Sandbach United.

Three goals in either half, including two of Kyle Foley’s hat-trick, condemned troubled Town to defeat.

Shawbury United climbed to 12th above Brereton Social with a 2-0 victory in South Staffordshire.

Josh Hesson notched a fourth-minute opener, with Harry Woodburn also on target from the penalty spot 10 minutes before the break.

Hellenic Division One outfit Ludlow Town returned to winning ways with a 3-0 Challenge Cup first round success at Newent Town.

The Knights had been four without victory in all competitions.