Poynton 1-0 Knutsford

AFTER a third game without a victory on Monday, Knutsford now know they will not win back-to-back Cheshire League titles.

Andrew Simpson’s early penalty settled a feisty encounter with Poynton, where Reds played the final half-hour with 10 men following Sean Lynch’s dismissal for dissent.

A defeat, their sixth of the campaign, leaves them 13 points adrift of leaders Whaley Bridge with five games left.

The first of those is at home to Denton on Saturday.

Rylands then visit Manchester Road next Wednesday, kick off 6.30pm.

They will be greeted by a Knutsford side smarting after collecting a single point from the past nine on offer.

Scott Dignan’s side responded to falling behind, and Lee Mannion ought to have done better than shoot feebly after bursting clear.

Liam Myers volleyed wide after skipper Steve Jenyons, filling in as a striker, headed the ball into his path.

The visitors continued to apply pressure in the second period, when Lynch’s effort was well-saved.

Tom Rutter went close too, but his side’s chances were harmed when Lynch was shown a red card for comments made to the match official.

Ebby Rezayan and Alex Mattison came on as substitutes, and the latter almost claimed an equaliser.

Myers’ attempt from distance was saved, then he struck an upright with his next attempt.

Jenyons’ header flashed over, while Brotherton dribbled past two Poynton defenders only for his finish to lack force.

“That’s derailed us,” admitted chairman Jimmy Evans afterwards.

“For us, it was a must-win match.”

Knutsford | Moore (GK), Dec Butler (Rezayan), Lynch, Maunder, Brotherton, Mannion, Pickford, Terence Butler (Mattison), Myers, Jenyons, Rutter