Vauxhall Motors succumbed to a cruel late winner for Prestwich Heys, at home on Tuesday night.
As Wythenshawe failed to win their game, Mick McGraa’s side would have went top of the NWCFL Premier Division if they picked up a point.
However, as many chances failed to be taken by the hosts at The VanEupen Arena, Vincent Howell found the net in the dying moments.
Motors started the game well as they were awarded two free kicks in the opening few minutes but they would fail to test keeper Jordan Hadlow.
A late tackle by the visitors’ Bradley Sixsmith saw him receive the first booking of the evening.
Prestwich were left shocked when in-form forward Connor Berry wasn’t given a free kick from a late challenge moments earlier.
Conor Harwood was in a great position to open the scoring for McGraa’s side but as his shot hit the keeper, the linesmans flag was raised after a good period of possession by the hosts.
Lewis Buckley looked certain to have found that goal when he dinked Hadlow who had rushed off his line yet the ball frustratingly hit the crossbar and refused to creep in to the bemusement of many.
It had been a poor start to the second half by the hosts as Burkey’s shot whistled wide of the post.
They came close again when they hit the crossbar for the second time from a corner.
In the Motors’ search for a late strike, Hadlow saved a powerful effort from substitute Francois Antoine before Deer fired over the bar as the ball was kept in play.
With minutes left on the clock it would be Prestwich that found the winner.
Shouts for a penalty were dismissed as James McClenaghan received the ball.
The keeper threw it out to Liam Turner who was was instantly put under pressure.
The visitors managed to win the ball back before Vincent Howell slotted it into the bottom corner.
Mick McGraa would later see red for his complaints to the referee and when asked about his side’s performance said:
‘I thought that we played well despite missing many chances, we brought attackers on and went for it but James’ mistake for their goal has cost us’.
Vauxhall Motors team, managed by Mick McGraa: James McClenaghan, Liam Turner, Ethan Gouldbourne, Simon Thelwell, Tom Mitchell (C), Sean Moscrop (80′), Michael Burkey, Ben Holmes, Lewis Buckley, Jordan Deer, Conor Harwood (65′). SUBS: Bobbie McDonnell (65′), Francois Antoine (80′), Marcus James, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Aaron Dawson.
Prestwich Heys, managed by Lee O’Brien and James Hampson: Jordan Hadlow, Jacob Ngoy, Scot Cullen, Bradley Sixsmith, Rudy Misambo (C), Kyle Jacobs, Connor Berry, Vincent Howell, Matthew Davies, Callum Nicholas (75′) Dylan Fitzgerald (85′). SUBS: Daniel White, Tyler James (75′), Junior Dos Santos (85′), Omar Mbowe, Temiloluwa Ajibola.
Referee: Kenneth Dowling.
Assistants: Jamie Dolphin and Jack Lucas.