WORCESTER Reds secured their first England Netball Mizuno Premier League One win of the season by pipping Academy 44-43 at home. 

With a full bench available, Reds took an early lead of 6-2 after turning over two Academy centre passes.

But it was not long before the Middlesex visitors came back to lead the first quarter 11-9 as Worcester seemed to take their foot off the gas.

A steady Reds team settled and took the second quarter 13-9 to end the half 22-20 ahead.

A loud, supportive crowd at the University of Worcester's St Johns Campus pushed the team onwards in the third period to draw 12-12.

Reds started the final quarter well but lost Iona Darroch to injury after a heavy fall.

The hosts settled again after changes but then Academy came back with six goals off seven centres.

Reds held on in the final minutes and with seconds to go got a penalty to see them win by one goal for their first five-point haul of the campaign.

Worcester moved above Academy to third from bottom in the table.

Reds head to Leeds Athletic on Sunday and the next home game is on November 26 against Oaksway from Hartlepool (10.30am).