A tense festive derby in the fog was determined by just the single goal as Ashville fell to a home defeat to local rivals Cammell Laird 1907.

The earlier kick off time played in favour of Ashville and Cammell Laird 1907 as the two Wirral sides clashed in the heavy fog on Boxing Day in front of a healthy local crowd.

It would be the visitors who took the lead shortly before half time when a free kick was headed to the back post where Joel Whalley was on hand to tap home.

Villa got a golden chance on 65 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately Peter Morgan saw his spot kick saved by Josh Brooks.

Despite heavy pressure from Villa the home side just couldn’t convert but a moment of madness in the 90th minute presented another glorious opportunity. A mess up from Lairds saw Josh Brooks accidentally pick up a back pass. An indirect free kick was awarded which Villa quickly took with Joel Kelly tapping into an empty net but the referee brought play back to consult with his assistant. Lairds argued that the ball was not in play when the alleged back pass happened but after conversing with the assistant the referee ordered the free kick to be retaken. Maldon touched the free kick to Brad Shearwood but he couldn’t sneak it past the onrushing 11 man wall on the line and that was that.

Villa now only have 48 hours until kick off in their next game when they travel back to Staffordshire to take on promotion rivals, Alsager Town