BEWDLEY Town's impressive 1-0 win over runaway leaders Market Drayton Rangers is a measure of how far the West Midlands League Premier Division surprise package have come.

They became only the second team to inflict defeat on the Shropshire pace-setters thanks to Graham Abriss's winning goal at the Walshes Meadow ground they are renting off Stourport on Saturday.

And after bobbing in and around the top five during their first season in the league's top flight, they hope it will inspire them towards a genuine title push when they return to their Ribbesford Meadows ground next term.

Coach Brian Lacey, who has been in charge of team affairs while manager Craig Payton has been away on holiday, was delighted with the display.

He said: "I was absolutely proud of the lads' performances and couldn't have asked ask any more of them.

"They showed passion, commitment and courage to win the game.

"Craig flies back into the country this week and will be proud of their performance."

Bewdley produced one of their best displays the season to temporarily halt Drayton's march towards the championship.

It was a tough encounter with both teams committed right from the start with man-of-the-match Steve Thomas the main difference in the Bewdley goal.

Thomas was inspirational, producing some goalkeeping heroics, including a penalty save, to thwart the table-toppers and secure a precious clean sheet.

Bewdley were forced onto the defensive in the first half as dangerous Drayton threatened with near misses from Tom Ward, Richard Croker and Tom Allen.

The hosts could only muster one shot on target and a rejected penalty appeal when Jamie Hart seemed to get caught by keeper Andy Pryce.

But Bewdley got the all important breakthrough goal a minute after the break to stun the league leaders.

The move started when a neat interchange of passes between Keith Elliott and Lewis Pountney played in Hart whose close range shot was parried by Pryce with Abriss turning in the rebound for his third goal of the season.

Drayton were still shellshocked when Hart and Pountney forced saves from Pryce as Bewdley sought to extend their lead.

The visitors pulled themselves together and caused panic in the Bewdley defence when Martyn Davies drew a fine one-handed save from Thomas before Croker missed an open goal after rounding the keeper.

Bewdley had their hearts in their mouths on 65 minutes when Croker was caught late in the box by Lamb and the referee had no choice but to blow for a penalty.

But super stopper Thomas saved the day by guessing the right way to keep out Davies's spot kick.

Bewdley have an afternoon off this Saturday before facing another stiff test with a home clash against second-placed Great Wyrley the following weekend.