GORNAL proved the stronger side throughout as Bewdley Town's bid to regain the West Midlands League Division One South title slipped up.

Bewdley were defeated 2-1 at home, despite taking a 15th-minute lead through Steve Mares who headed home Chris Hough's cross from a Dave Knight through-ball.

But the town side missed holidaying midfielder Keith Elliot, while new signing Stuart Clarke was forced off with an injury after only 20 minutes.

Bewdley replaced Clarke with Steve Holt and then Andrew Ford, back from injury, was on for John Lawley at half-time.

However, a Ford error on the hour mark allowed Gornal's Daryl Samuels-Williams to equalise.

The visitors produced a spectacular winner 15 minutes from time through the unmarked Aidan Edmunds' over-head kick.

Debutant Dave Spencer came on for John Maffei but it was not Bewdley's day.

Fixture, Saturday: Malvern Town Res v Bewdley (2.45pm, players to meet at Waggon and Horses pub by 12.30pm).