New Mills controversially denied first win

North West Counties First Division South: New Mills 1-1 Alsager Town

New Mills were denied their first league win of the season in controversial circumstances after conceding a late equaliser for the second successive game. 

As was the case in last Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads, the injury-hit Millers went ahead through Ed Driver but were cruelly thwarted in the closing stages at Church Lane again. 

In the 90th minute, Alsager Town were awarded a penalty, with New Mills players and fans alike convinced that the visiting player had deceived the referee by diving. During their protestations, Nathaniel Kerr was sent off for the second consecutive match - this time for dissent. 

Callum Collinson converted the spotkick past Millers goalkeeper Alex Fowell to extend the Bullets' unbeaten run to six games.

The late drama leaves the Millers still awaiting a first victory of the campaign in the North West Counties First Division South, where they sit 19th in the table with just two points from eight league games - one place above the division's one relegation berth. 

Nevertheless, it was another encouraging performance under new joint-managers Mike Norton and Dave Birch, with defender Adam Jones - who headed against the crossbar early on from a Nathan Webb corner - picking up the Millers' Man of the Match award. 

In the glorious High Peak sunshine on Saturday, there was also another goal for the in-form Driver, who opened the scoring on 78 minutes with a fine finish from 20 yards after latching on to a long ball out of the defence. 

The Millers are back in action on Tuesday night for their seventh successive home match, when fourth-placed West Didsbury & Chorlton are the visitors to Church Lane, with kick-off at 7.45pm.