Pershore Town 1,

West Midland Police 0

PERSHORE booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Willie Knibbs Challenge Cup after Saturday's narrow win.

Both managers had to make changes owing to player unavailability. Town were missing central defenders Colin Fulloway and Chris Jew, while Police had at least six of their regular squad absent.

The hosts included new signing Adam Ward a move that saw midfielder Joe Maidment moving to centre half from where he played a huge part and was named man of the match after a solid display.

Pershore made the early running and a sixth minute cross by Kristian Wood was headed into the side netting by Ward. A deep cross from Jon Gregory also caused problems but Chris Allen blasted wildly over the top.

Police replied when David Harnett fired into the side netting before the game's solitary goal arrived after 17 minutes.

Simon Brain played a through pass for 16-year-old Will Pedley to run on to and score with an unstoppable 15-yarder.

After the interval Simon Judge tried to lob keeper Simon Williams who was well off his line but the ball flew well over the crossbar. Brain's corner kick was then headed wide by Ward.

Gregory's 30-yard drive was brilliantly saved by Williams and, 20 minutes from time in one of the visitors' rare attacks, Lee Whar-mby's deep cross was missed by Harnett.

In the dying minutes Pedley fired wide from a good scoring position and two Wood shots were saved by Police's star man Williams. Opposite number Barry McLean had a quiet afternoon, not having a real save to make during the game.

It was a different tale at Cont-inental Star on Tuesday when three second half goals sentenced Town to a 3-0 defeat.