HEADLESS Cross Ladies continued their title tilt with a 2-0 derby win at home to Redditch United Women.

Redditch boss Steve Tayler admitted he set out to defend and frustrate the league leaders and did so until the 70th minute.

Inevitably it was league top scorer Mandy Ellicott, who joined Cross from Redditch in the close season, who claimed the vital goal and went on to add a second from the spot late on.

Title rivals Kidderminster - three points behind Cross with a game in hand - announced their intent with an 11-0 thrashing of Racing Hibernian.

Auld's team have to keep racking up the wins to keep Kidderminster at arms length and visit league newcomers Ross Town on Sunday (ko 2pm).

Defeat saw Tayler's team drop to third from bottom and he will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes when they entertain Hereford Pegasus on Sunday (ko 2pm).

Both sides have been kept apart in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Cup semi finals.

Tayler pronounced himself happy with a trip to Ross Town.

Cross have been paired at home to fourth placed Fairfield Villa.

The ties will be played on Sunday, March 2.