TITLE-chasing Bewdley Town took advantage of main West Midlands League Division One South rivals Chaddesley Corbett and Hinton not playing to move into second place.

They are just two points behind leaders Hinton with three games in hand after Saturday's 2-1 home win over Lye Town Reserves.

Steve Mares was the late goal hero, grabbing a winner with three minutes left, while the prolific John Maffei was also on target.

Lye started well and it took Bewdley 20 minutes to gain their first opportunity through front-man Maffei.

But the visitors' keeper Mark Foster pulled off superb saves from Mares, Chris Hough and Maffei to keep the first half goal-less.

Sixth-placed Lye also had two good chances to score but were denied.

Bewdley began to push more in the second period with man-of-the-match Darren Potter causing trouble down the right.

It was not long before Maffei pounced on a loose ball to hammer home but Lye levelled with an 80th-minute penalty, awarded for handball.

However, Bewdley kept up their strong title challenge when Mares scrambled home the winner in the dying minutes.

Bewdley's players are asked to meet at the Waggon and Horses pub for 12.45pm for Saturday's game at Leominster Town.