Whitchurch Alport boss Luke Goddard has admitted that he is both disappointed and satisfied with his side's work in the last seven days with a league win and draw adding to a much-deserved cup success.

It has been almost the perfect week for Whitchurch Alport and their supporters.

But a penalty four minutes from the end of Monday night’s game against Squires Gate spoiled their chances of a 100 per cent success rate.

A penalty from Darren Campion, Matty Ashbrook, an own goal and a last-gasp Simon Everall winner saw the Reds win the Ethelston Cup for the first time in nine years against Shropshire side Allscott playing their part in a seven-goal thriller at Yockings Park.

Then on Saturday, two Tim Sanders goals had seen off Barnoldswick Town to make it five wins and a draw going into Monday night’s game.

And although the Reds scored first through Everall, the visitors levelled from the spot late on.

It was a feisty game at Yockings with Alport reduced to 10 men after Campion was sent off just before half time, with Gate also having a man sent off just after the break to even up the numbers but were worth a point in the end.

Reds boss Goddard paid tribute to his battle-weary squad after two heavily demanding league games in close succession.

“Yes it’s disappointing to drop two points so late in the game but would we have taken four points from six in those two fixtures so close together?" he said

"I think we would especially after Camps went off so close to half time.

"We had to reassess in there (the dressing rooms) and try to reorganise.

"Leon (Ashman) had to take the lead defensively and I thought he was magnificent as he was on Saturday.”

Goddard believes he was proved right about Gate's physicality. He added: “We knew they’d be a physical side and they went very direct while at the same time compacting their midfield which made it hard for us. I didn’t think they created very much in open play although that’s where their penalty came from.

"From set pieces, however, they looked a threat. It was important for us to get something out of the game because we want to continue this fine run of form we’re on. In all competitions we’ve won six and drawn two so the longer we keep that run going the higher we will be in the table.”

The midweek fixtures will now stop for a while – excluding any potential cup replays – and Goddard has admitted it will be difficult to keep everyone involved.

He said: “We’ve got a big squad here and it’s much easier to rotate when you’ve got two games a week. Now that games are coming every Saturday we will have to pick sides that we feel are capable of winning particular matches. So we can evaluate tonight’s performance and see who needs to come in and who might need a rest from the upcoming cup tie at the weekend.”

Alport host Prestwich Heys in the Macron Cup on Saturday at 3 pm.