BEWDLEY Town kept in touch with the leading pack in the West Midlands League Premier Division despite two contrasting results over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Town made a good start by edging out Shawbury United 1-0 at Ribbesford Meadow but were edged out 3-2 away at Ellesmore Rangers on Monday.

The team are now only two points off leaders AFC Wulfrunians, who they clash with on Saturday, but lie in sixth place because of goal difference.

Against Shawbury, Town were the better side but could not turn pressure into goals until Chris Hough bagged the winner in the final minute.

Shawbury's goalkeeper had kicked the ball into the River Severn, in order to waste time, but Hough made him pay when his free-kick came off the wall and smashed the rebound into the back of the net.

Joint manager Bryan Lacey said: "We made a lot of chances against Shawbury and should have been 4-0 up by half-time but for our poor finishing.

"But I think we got our just deserts against Shawbury,l because we were the better side."

Town went into the game at Ellesmere with seven players facing their third game in three days, after many had turned out for Bewdley's 3-2 win over Withymoor in the Kidderminster and District League on Sunday.

Youngster Sam Watkins was given a chance to shine and acquitted himself well.

Ryan Rowe, on loan from Stourbridge, and Steve Holt put Bewdley 2-1 up at half-time but as the team's legs tired Ellesmere levelled the scores and went ahead late on through a penalty, after Shaun Wright brought a player down in the box.

"We had half the team playing their third game in three days and we had a lot of tired legs on the pitch in the end," said Lacey.

"We were unlucky to concede a penalty and it hit us quite hard."

Bewdley's injury crisis is also starting to ease, with Lewis Pountney and Gavin Smith both set to start running this week and are expected to be back in the coming fortnight.

Town take on Wulfrunians away on Saturday, before they entertain Tividale at home on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick off).

Lacey said: "Wulfrunians are top of the table so they will be a good test of where we are.

"They have come up through the leagues and are doing well.

"The fixtures are coming thick and fast at the moment and we're looking at a tough September."