Worcester City 2 AFC Telford United 1

THERE were joyous scenes at the Victoria Ground as Worcester City won this fiercely-fought Midlands derby in the most dramatic fashion.

With only seconds of stoppage-time remaining, Colby Bishop was sent clean through after latching onto Cieron Keane’s long, hopeful ball forward.

Almost everyone in the ground held their breath as the 20-year-old striker was left with just AFC Telford United goalkeeper James Montgomery to beat.

But, showing composure and confidence, cool-headed Bishop, who came off the bench in the second half, calmly slotted the ball home.

The last-gasp winner sparked wild celebrations from City, who claimed a third successive home win in Vanarama National League North.

Telford’s players, meanwhile, dropped to their knees in disbelief after seeing all their dominance end in vain.

For large periods of this encounter, the Shropshire side had Worcester pinned inside their own half.

But they only had Luca Havern’s 77th-minute header to show for their efforts as the hosts snatched all three points.

City were also helped by a piece of brilliance from Lee Hughes in the opening nine minutes to get them off the mark.

After Connor Hughes, making his debut for the club, sent in a low cross, the ball fell to the 40-year-old, who skilfully backheeled it into the bottom corner for his 13th goal of the campaign.

From that moment on, Worcester seemed determined to protect their 1-0 advantage as Telford piled on the pressure.

Defender Ben Bailey went closest to scoring for the visitors in the first half as his 33rd-minute shot was headed off the line by Lee Hughes.

But the Bucks were also coming up against a goalkeeper keen to prove a point.

Ethan Ross has been forced to bide his time on the bench while Ryan Boot produced a string of strong showings in between the sticks.

But, with Boot choosing a loan move to Macclesfield Town over another spell at City, West Bromwich Albion stopper Ross was handed the gloves.

And the 19-year-old rose to the challenge as he tipped over Jonathan Royle’s long-range strike and twice denied Bradley Reid from close range before half-time.

Tempers flared shortly after the break when Connor Hughes and Bailey clashed off the ball before Dave Hibbert hit out at Andy Gallinagh, resulting in three yellow cards.

Worcester continued to defend superbly with Graham Hutchison and Sam Oji forming a solid centre-back partnership.

But Carl Heeley’s men gifted far too much possession in midfield and gave away many needless free-kicks to put themselves under the pump.

This looked like it may prove costly in the latter stages as Havern headed in Josh Wilson’s corner with 13 minutes to go.

Substitute Danny Reynolds was then presented with a golden opportunity to put Telford in front but Ross somehow got a hand to his shot to push the ball over the crossbar.

City always looked threatening on the break, though, and were unfortunate not to get a penalty late on when the lively Chekaine Steele went down in the box.

But the home fans’ dismay over referee Ricky Wootton’s decision quickly turned to delight as Bishop broke free and sealed victory in the 94th minute.