DEPLETED Bewdley Town battled bravely at Gornal Athletic in West Midlands League Division One South but were beaten 2-0 by the leaders.

With eight key players missing and no forwards available, Bewdley were always going to struggle and had to change the formation to 4-5-1.

The subs bench comprised Paul Brothers, Mark Thompson and Dave Knight, with a total of 130 years between them.

Gavin Smith played his first game for two years and Tom Stewart also returned from his suspension.

Midfielder Chris Hough put in a hard-working performance as the lone striker as Bewdley played well in the first half, restricting Gornal to two chances.

A deflection off defender Ben Davies and a shot from Mark Habbershaw were well saved by keeper Jim Pickett.

But Davies brought down Potterson in the 55th minute and Andy Tiernan scored from the spot.

Three minutes later, Bewdley's Keith Elliot struck a great effort at goal which was saved by Paul Smith.

However, in the 65th minute, Habbershaw ran clear and enabled Potterson to score Gornal's second.

Bewdley had the better of the last 20 minutes without looking like scoring.

Their players are asked to meet at Brintons for 12.45pm on Saturday as they face Chaddesley Corbett in the League Cup.