Shawbury rue missed chances in defeat

Dave Richards' side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Pegasus Juniors in Hereford, leaving their title chances hanging in the balance.

A late Cory Hyde strike against the run of play left United returning to Shropshire empty-handed with their lead at the top cut to just seven points.

Rivals AFC Bridgnorth, lying second, have four games in hand.

Shawbury's Steve Faux somehow missed from inside the six-yard box just three minutes in as Shawbury looked to put the previous weekend's heated derby clash with Bridgnorth behind them.

Faux was not the only guilty party in squandering presentable opportunities as Matty Elsmore, Stuart Ellis and Owen Lloyd also passed up chances to break the deadlock.

Their match-winner arrived in controversial circumstances, as Ellis danced around four challenges before seemingly being hauled down by Juniors' shot-stopper Jason Davies.

While the visiting players were still begging for a spot-kick to be awarded, Pegasus charged off on the counter-attack and notched an unlikely winner.

A disappointed Richards said: "We bossed the whole game and had 10 really good chances. They were the last team to beat us at home and it was a similar kind of game.

"The goal was the biggest kick in the teeth. The referee puts his whistle to his mouth but decides to play on. You will never see a clearer penalty."

To make matters worse, Tom Rogers saw red late on after arguing with an assistant referee.

Bridgnorth took full advantage of the slip-up with a narrow victory of their own, Tom Grainger's late strike enough to see off Ellesmere Rangers.

Following a tense first-half, substitute Grainger popped up with his third goal of the season to land the vital three points.

Wellington Amateurs claimed an impressive 3-0 win at Willenhall Town to pull them away from the foot of the table.

Brodie Millington and Sam Gougher struck first-half goals before Saimonas Burksaitis added the third in the dying moments.

Third-placed Haughmond played out a goalless draw with Dudley Sports.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium, but Dave Howarth and and Kev Renshaw spurning Haughmond's best opportunities.

Newport Town booked their spot in the second round of the Division Two League Cup with a 2-1 win over Powick Rangers.

Robbie Millington and Liam Bould netted for Newport, with Bould's winner coming in the last minute of regular time.

The goal celebrations sparked an altercation with both teams having a man sent off, but Newport saw out the game and booked a place in the next round where they will meet Warstone Wanderers.

The game at Shuker Fields was the first time Newport have played at home since November and they were soon ahead through Millington in the seventh minute.

However, Powick equalised after 15 minutes from a corner when the hosts were guilty of some poor marking.

With the clock ticking down, new signing from Wellington Amateurs Sam Robinson played in Bould for the winner.