FC Oswestry Town 0 Alport 1
 
Big Ben struck right on time in the North Shropshire derby to send Alport’s travelling supporters home happy. Ben Mills came of the subs bench with six minutes to go and very soon afterwards he became the hero of the hour for the Reds.
 
The game looked certain to end in stalemate with the Town defenders having to put in a right old shift to keep Whitchurch out.
 
But as the clock entered into the final minute, up popped Mills to prod the ball past Louis Mackin to break Oswestry hearts for the second successive Boxing Day clash with the Yockings Men, who earned the County bragging rights once more.
 
Alport started well and dominated the opening 10 minutes. By then, Hovik Nersesyan had clattered a post and the visitors would find the frame of the goal again later in the match from Arron Johns’ effort from a tight angle.
 
When Mackin leapt spectacularly to turn away Ryan Thomas’ hooked shot midway through the second half, it looked like the hosts would gain a point.
 
At the opposite end of the pitch, Town were brighter than they had been in the first half. A couple of late set-pieces set the nerve ends jangling a bit and an Alport defender popped up on the line to deny a 96th minute leveller.
 
Oswestry might feel aggrieved that they didn’t pick up a point, but in fairness, Mackin was much busier than his opposite number, Danny Read. The relief of the sound of the final whistle was palpable and the extra two points could prove very handy when the points are being added in May.