Alport’s hopes of a run in the Macron Cup were ended at the 2nd round stage when they lost 2-1 at home to Premier Division Maine Road. But long before the visitors scored their two goals, Whitchurch were left staring down the barrels of a gun when a moment of madness from midfielder Stevie McNichol, left the Reds down to 10 men with only four minutes of the cup tie played. Mike Blundell netted for the Reds midway through the second half to put Whitchurch right back in the match, but despite the best efforts of the Yockings Men, the Mancunians just about held onto their lead. Alport’s preparations for the match had been left in tatters when their midweek Shropshire County Cup home tie against AFC Broseley was postponed just 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off. Broseley didn’t turn up and were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition to hand Alport a place in the quarter finals. And, although Whitchurch were derailed through no fault of their own on Tuesday night, they got off to the worst possible start on Saturday in front of another terrific Yockings Park crowd. McNichol went in high in one of the first challenges of the game, and the referee immediately whipped out the red card – McNichol’s second of the campaign, which is sure to bring a lengthy ban for the Reds No. 4.Tricky winger Matty Ashbrook struck the post in the first half with the scores at 0-0, and Blundell also hit the frame of the goal in the second half, although Alport were two adrift at the time. Matthew Morgan had popped up in first half stoppage time to round off a flowing team move to give the away side an undeserved half-time lead. And when captain Jonathan Mason bundled home from a corner early in the second half, it looked like Alport might be on the receiving end. But they’re a fit bunch as well as a resilient one, so it was important they stayed in the game. Blundell’s disappointment after the upright had denied him from another superbly executed set piece soon faded, when he was on hand to turn home the loose ball after Sky Blues keeper Ryan Livesey had flapped at a high ball. With 25 minutes still to play, the 176 crowd roared on their team and Alport didn’t look like they’d been affected by the early dismissal. Twice in added on time the Reds went so close to forcing extra time. But Livesey did really well to push away Ashbrook’s 15 yard shot and Si Everall fired wide of the near post when it looked like an equaliser might finally arrive. The defeat was a first since Widnes won at Yockings early in October. But there were positives to take from it with Alport deserving much more from the game, despite the disadvantage caused by McNichol’s recklessness.