Shifnal Town made to settle for a point in Boxing Day fog

The hosts made all the running at the Acoustafoam Stadium but could not break down the resolute visitors to find the all-important breakthrough.

It is just the fifth time in 20 Midland Premier fixtures this term that Casuals have not tasted defeat.

For Connor Patterson's Shifnal it was enough to keep ahead of third place from 1874 Northwich, who also drew and put a one-point dent in the now six-point margin to Brocton in second. Town do have two games in hand, however, prior to Saturday's quick turnaround at another of the strugglers Tividale, outside the drop zone by just two points.

Sixth-placed Whitchurch Alport, outside the play-off places by seven points, also have the chance to go again with a trip to mid-table OJM Black Country.

Alport were frustrated as their Boxing Day home clash against Stone Old Alleynians was postponed. Despite the early-morning Boxing Day efforts of volunteers, a section of the Yockings Park pitch was deemed unplayable.

In Division One AFC Bridgnorth were edged out 2-1 at home to promotion-chasing Cradley Town.

The visitors opened the scoring through Jack Till at Crown Meadow but Josh Smith bagged an equaliser into the second half.

But it was heartbreak at the death for the hosts as a harsh 90th-minute handball saw Cradley awarded a penalty and Brad Ward made no mistake from the spot. Bridgnorth are 17th and bid to bounce back at Heather St John's on Saturday.

Market Drayton Town's Boxing Day fixture in North West Counties Division One South was switched to the previous Friday and the hosts were unfortunate to fall to a 1-0 home defeat to leaders Stafford Town. Matt Hearsey struck a 50th-minute winner.

Drayton, in 10th, face a big clash against sixth-placed Abbey Hulton on Saturday.

It was goals galore between basement boys Shawbury United and visitors Wolverhampton Sporting in a 4-4 draw.

A real topsy-turvy affair saw Shawbury level through Eric Mensah before lead through Harry Farnsworth. Sporting struck either side of half-time to lead 3-2 but Sam Flory levelled.

Shawbury came again and Ben Jones made it 4-3 in the closing stages but it was not to be as the visitors bagged a late equaliser.

Third-bottom Allscott Heath were beaten 1-0 at home to Eccleshall via a 20th-minute winner.

Shawbury travel to Eccleshall on Saturday and Allscott visit Runcorn Town.