ON a day with many matches called off the game at Pavilions was never in doubt apart from the damaged goalposts which had been temporarily repaired by a local welding company.

The game ultimately resulted in a total of 14 yellow cards and three red cards and proved to be a nasty affair.

Town can only blame themselves for not putting away numerous early chances before conceding the first goal.

West Didsbury and Chorlton goalkeeper Hughes did well to keep out a low drive by Beckett going down to his left he parried the ball back in to play Shanley was on to it but with the goal at his mercy he lashed the ball wide of an open net.

Town continued to press and when Dykes cut inside Jones the defender handled the ball resulting in a penalty in the seventh minute.

The usually reliable spot kick expert Danny Toone slipped as he struck the ball that hit the crossbar and then over for a goal kick.

In their first attack WDC took the lead when Lilley hit a hard low drive beyond Hayden into the bottom corner in the 11th min. WDC began to exert pressure on the Town defence with the impressive Evangelinos at the root of the attacks.

Town responded when Shanley played the ball through to Breen but his shot was blocked and cleared for a throw in.

Play was end to end and a low shot by WDC captain Rogers flashed just wide of the post.

The second half was only minutes old when WDC captain Rogers was sent off for a foul on Houghton.

Town took the initiative but failed to test WDC keeper Hughes.

Thompson hit a shot just over the crossbar then Shanley saw his shot blocked by a packed defence.

WDC caught out Town when Adam Hilton broke down the left, he cut inside before beating Hayden at the near post with a low hard drive in the 60th minute.

Town brought on Gibson as Simon Burton changed his formation but Town were really struggling as the yellow cards continued to mount.

The frustration was taking its toll and all the football disappeared.

As full time neared Toone was hacked down on the edge of the WDC area, unfortunately Toone was sent off.

From the free kick Paul Shanley slotted the ball into the top corner giving Hughes no chance to save but in the five minutes of added time they could not find an equaliser.