Market Drayton Town F.C.

Market Drayton suffered a blow in their rise up the league table, going down 3-2 at one of the leagues early pace setters Stamford AFC.

Drayton started well and took the lead on 9 minutes when a deep cross found Nick Porter with enough space to take a touch and place the ball past Stamford goalkeeper Matt Finlay. Their lead would last until the 24th minute when Stamford equalised as a long throw from Paul Mayo was flicked on by Gary King for Louis Hamilton to head home from close range.

It would be the home side who went into the break leading, as on 38 minutes good work from King was finished with a flick from Sam Mullarkey. Half-time 2-1.

Stamford controlled the game at the start of the second half and increased the lead on 53 minutes - a clever quick free kick down the left by Mayo found King his cross header was perfect for Mullarkey to take a single touch and thrash the ball into the top corner.

Finlay pulled off a superb save when Delroy Fox ran unchecked at goal and shot it was heading for the top corner but Finlay managed to get a hand to it and claw it over.

Drayton caused a scare when they were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute which Ryan Connor placed it to Finlay's left to set up a tense finish to the game. Stamford showed why they find themselves in the top three however and saw out the game for all three points.

Att. 183