VICTORY over Dudley Town on Saturday is crucial to Bewdley Town’s West Midlands Premier Division title hopes, according to manager Craig Payton.

Town endured a week to forget, firstly exiting the FA Vase with a 3-1 second round qualifying defeat against Northern Counties Premier League outfit Long Eaton United on Saturday.

This was followed by a 1-0 loss to Shawbury United on Tuesday night, which came courtesy of a first-minute goal.

Bewdley, who now sit fourth in the table, handed a debut to former Kidderminster Harriers goalkeeper Darren Steadman.

Payton was left ruing his side’s poor fortune in front of goal and he now believes Saturday’s game is a must-win if his side are to reignite a promotion challenge.

“Losing (on Tuesday) has put a big dent in our title hopes,” said the manager.

“We dominated the game. We had 85 per cent of the play but we are just not having that luck in front of goal.

“We have got to get ourselves back on track on Saturday. I say that because all of the big guns won on Tuesday.”

Saturday’s Vase clash saw Long Eaton reduced to 10 men after 27 minutes, when Nathan Parker was red carded for a two-footed challenge on Bewdley’s Gavin Smith.

But the dismissal didn’t derail the visitors, who took the lead eight minutes later when Alex Steadman converted Kelvin Mushabmbi’s pass.

Two further strikes in eight second-half minutes killed off Bewdley’s hopes.

The first came on 70 minutes from Mushambi and the second when Paul Gamble hit an unstoppable 20-yard effort.

Jamie Hart scored a consolation for the home side a minute into injury time.

Payton heaped praise on the 134 fans who turned out at Ribbesford Meadows, giving the club the sixth largest FA Vase gate of the weekend.

“I have got to thank the supporters who came down on Saturday,” he added.

“We had the sixth largest gate in the Vase and I think that shows how much Bewdley have grown.

“You have to hold your hand up and say the best team won.

“With 10 men, they still looked like they had 11 on the field.”

Midfielder Chris Hough will be missing for the clash with sixth-placed Dudley.