Stockport Georgians...1

Elton Fold...0

FOR the third time this season Fold fell to a single goal defeat against the league leaders and Gilgryst Cup finalists -- but on this occasion, Elton have nobody to blame but themselves.

Having, by far, the greater share of possession and producing some enterprising approach play they were, however, let down on a regular basis by a dreadful final delivery into the danger area.

Even the match officials' decisions went favourably their way as Georgians were controversially reduced to ten men and Fold were awarded a penalty minutes later, but still couldn't find the net.

The Bury side started brightly, but it was Stockport who went closest to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when livewire Martin Hodson's cross-shot bounced back off the foot of a post into the grateful arms of 'keeper Steve Crossley.

Minutes later Crossley pulled off a tremendous save as he turned John Duffy's point-blank header over the bar.

Fold quickly hit back and the inrushing Mattie Wright was millimetres away from connecting with a good cross from Keith Ingham, but 'keeper Troy Whittle came off his line to claim the ball.

Paul Owen was then put clear by an intelligent long ball from Dave Wilkes, but under pressure from a backtracking defender, screwed his effort wide.

The only goal of the game came in the 25th minute when a poor clearance at a corner allowed the ball to be floated back into the crowded penalty box and Dave Brocklehurst climbed highest to head past Crossley from close range.

For large parts of the second half, Fold reduced the title favourites to frustrated shadow-chasers as they carved their way through the midfield and smoothly moved down the flanks, but the league's meanest defence was content to sit deep and easily cut out cross after cross before they reached anywhere near their intended target.

Stockport could only raid with the odd counter-attack, and it was from one such move in the 67th minute that Elton gained a numerical advantage in playing staff.

Georgians striker Phil Connolly got behind the Fold defence to latch onto a through ball and raced into the penalty area, but a tackle from chasing defender Warren Bunting sent him sprawling.

The visitors bench held it's breath as the whistle went to the referee's lips, but he boldly awarded a free kick to Elton and cautioned Connolly for 'diving'.

The yellow card was his second of the game and so out came the red one amidst a barrage of protests from the home contingent.

Fold promptly withdrew a defender for a forward and the extra pressure paid dividends within minutes as Georgians hadn't regained their composure and a rash tackle on Steve Smith in the bottom corner of the penalty box gave the visitors an obvious spot kick.

The division's leading scorer, Paul Owen, however, couldn't add another goal to his total as Whittle comfortably

held his weak shot.

Owen almost made amends when he was a split second late in sliding in to meet a fiercely-driven low cross

from Ingham that sped across the face of goal.

Stockport weren't finished though and another counter-attack was ended by a cracking double save from Crossley in a 'one-on-one' situation with Hodson that prevented salt really being rubbed into the wound.

Crossley's save couldn't inspire his colleagues to snatch the equaliser and so Fold had to return home empty-handed and face the fact that even world class strikers will draw a blank without decent service, let alone those at this level.

ELTON FOLD: Crossley 8, Bunting 7, Doran 7, Wilkes 6, Keegan 6, Price 6, Shaw 7, Wright 7, Bray 6, Ingham 7, Owen 7 Substitutes: Smith (for Price, 62 mins) 6, Crossan (for Bunting, 69 mins) 6, Slater (for Shaw, 81 mins).

Two goals from Mark Myerscough and one each from Derek Watson and Martin Rayner earned the reserves a superb 4-2 victory over Wythenshawe Amateurs reserves in their Open Trophy quarter-final.

The win booked them a semi-final trip to New Mills reserves tomorrow week.

Fold are at home to Atherton Town tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm). The reserves have no game.

Next Thursday, April 4, Fold are at home to Atherton LR in the first round of the Bolton Hospitals Cup (kick-off 6.30pm).