BEWDLEY Town progressed to the West Midland League Division One Cup second round with a 3-1 defeat of Bilbrook.

They had the ball in the net three times in the first 20 minutes but all were ruled out, two for offside and one for a foul.

Keith Elliot had a shot cleared off the line but was involved in the opener on 34 minutes after combining with Tom Stewart to set up Chris Hough's low 20-yarder.

Man-of-the-match, midfielder Gavin Smith, inspired the 42nd-minute second goal when he fed Steve Holt whose chip gave Elliot the chance to score.

Robert James brought Bilbrook back into the game in the 57th minute when John Hardiman hand-balled to give away his third penalty in two matches.

But Elliot sealed the win on the hour with a header from Scott Mullen's inch-perfect cross after Dale Evans won the ball.