WORCESTER kept up the pressure on Stourport at the top of Midlands One with a 4-3 victory over South Nottingham.

The result maintained their record as the division’s only unbeaten team and left them just a point behind the leaders.

It was a slow start to the game with possession being shared between both sides as they battled for dominance.

The deadlock was broken when Jonathan Sprague got free of his marker to get on the end of an impeccably placed cross from Joe Schubert.

Minutes later, Worcester found themselves in the opposing circle yet again as a tenacious run and cross from Richard Stocks was lashed against the woodwork by Chris Kendall. The rebound fell kindly to Ben Martin, who scored his second goal in as many weeks.

A lapse in concentration from the hosts enabled South Nottingham to break, ending with the ball in the back of Worcester’s net.

The two-goal cushion, however, was quickly restored as Dave Westhead’s pin-point pass found home debutant George Southall who cleanly despatched the opportunity.

It was Southall’s first goal for the team since completing the short trip down the Rivers Severn from Stourport Hockey Club.

Worcester were guilty of complacency after the break and the visitors were quick to take advantage, scoring in open play and from a short corner to bring the game level once again, this time at 3-3.

This set the stage for Tom Schubert, who came to the fore after squandering earlier chances.

With ten minutes to go, a short corner won by Callum Stanley was put away by Schubert with a drag flick that left the goalkeeper and defence floundering.

The man-of-the-match award went to defender Steve Miles who has played a key role in preserving his side’s unbeaten record.

Worcester travel up the M42 on Saturday to take on Old Silhillians.