A GRANT Gibbs goal two minutes from time kept Bewdley Town in the hunt for the West Midlands League Division One South runners-up spot as they beat Malvern Town Reserves 2-1.

Bewdley had to make several changes from the side that progressed to the Tony Tranter Cup Final with a 3-0 victory over Parkdale as Andrew Ford, Chris Hough and Ben McCloughlan were unavailable.

Malvern were the better side in the first half and deservedly led with a 20th-minute header.

Adrian Bennett had to leave the field injured soon afterwards and was replaced by Matt Gray.

The visitors came out fighting in the second half and dominated the game but it was 75 minutes before the equaliser.

Gibbs was brought down in the area and Gary Middleton scored from the resulting penalty.

Bewdley pressed for the winner and it came when Malvern keeper Barry McClean's clearance hit his own defender and fell to Matt Allsopp who squared for Gibbs to net his 21st goal of the season.

Three Bewdley's U-16s - Adrian Passey, Steve Hoult and Craig Mole whose team play in the final of the Worcestershire Cup on Sunday - were subs with Hoult on for an impressive last 15 minutes.

Fixture, Saturday: Bewdley Town v Malvern Rangers (2.45pm, players to meet at the ground at 1.30pm).

Squad: Harvey, Hopkins, Lawley, Harris, Osbourne, Middleton, Hardiman, Turford, Bennett, Allsopp, Gibbs, Ford, Hough, Field, McCloughlan, Passey, Hoult, Mole, Bow.