JUD Ellis starred with a hat-trick as Whitchurch Alport celebrated a 3-2 win at home to Highgate United in the Midlands Premier League.

Ellis had put the Reds into a 59 second lead but by the time the referee blew for half-time the visitors had carved a one goal lead.

However the Reds were not to be denied and hit back to snatch victory late on as Ellis completed his hat-trick.

Manager Luke Goddard said: “We have lost once in the last 11 games and today we managed to grind out a result on a very difficult pitch without the suspended Alex Hughes and unavailable Dan Skelton.”

On Saturday the Reds bid to achieve more history when Atherstone Town lie in wait with the winners going through to the fourth round of the Buildbase FA Vase.

The Midland League Division One side welcome the north Shropshire club Sheepy Road in Warwickshire on Saturday for the club’s biggest match since the Shropshire Cup Final two years ago.

Whitchurch Herald: Action from Wem Town's defeat at Morda United. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Action from Wem Town's defeat at Morda United. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

However the club will be without Joe Minshall until New Year having turned his ankle during training while Ivan Urvantev is facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the clash with Atherstone.

Meanwhile Ellesmere Rangers trailed 3-0 at Wythenshawe Amateurs when the match was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch in the North West Counties South League.

Edward Brown broke the deadlock before Saul Henderson struck twice but the sides will have to meet again after the match was cancelled.

Meanwhile Morda United maintained their title bid in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League with a 3-0 win at home to Wem Town courtesy of goals from Danny Barton, Louie Millington and Ishtiaque Rashid.

Elsewhere Wem Town were unable to derail Morda United who eased to a 3-0 win at Weston Pools Park in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League.