HAVING won one cup semi-final last weekend, Knutsford FC looked to make it two out of two on Saturday.

However, that bid ended in heartbreak as their hopes of reaching the Mid-Cheshire District Cup final were dashed by Winsford Town, who ran out 2-0 victors.

Reds’ tails were up as they made the short trip to Winsford on the back of reaching the Cheshire Amateur Cup final the previous week by recording what was their sixth consecutive win in all competitions against Old Alts.

While they were faced a lower-ranked opponent, however, their task was a difficult one against a side who had won 17 of their 20 Cheshire League Two matches in their inaugural season.

Knutsford had most of the ball and slowly but surely, that started to translate into chances.

Jonny Cavanagh came closest, firing a right-footed effort that rattled the Winsford crossbar. Greg Mathers then hit a shot just wide while Jimmy Woodward was adjudged to be offside when he had a clear run at goal.

Against the run of play, however, the hosts took the lead when Joel Wilbraham was controversially penalised and from the resulting free kick, George Ward headed home at the near post to give Winsford the lead on the stroke of half time.

Knutsford were then tasked with finding a response after the break, but they were hampered just before the hour mark as they were reduced to 10 men.

Rocco Fregapane was adjudged to have made a foul as “last man” and was shown a red card, leaving them a man light for the remainder of the game.

They continued to work hard to try and find a route back into the game, but Winsford were adept at managing and breaking up the game.

And on the counter-attack, they grabbed the killer goal as Charlie Sheldon was penalised for a foul in the box and Danny Fox converted the ensuing penalty.

Weather permitting, Knutsford are set to play their first home fixture since February 3 on Saturday – they are slated to welcome Bollington to Manchester Road in Cheshire League One.

Knutsford: Smith, Mawdsley, Fregapane, Wilbraham (Mountney), Maunder, Davis (Wooley), Sheldon, Cavanagh, Woodward (Ardern), Mathers, Blades