AN unfortunate own-goal from Worcester City debutant and loanee centre-half Louis Salter proved the difference on Saturday as Wellingborough Town progressed to the second round of the FA Vase with a narrow 1-0 win at Claines Lane.

It was a game of few chances but the decisive moment came when Town substitute Jack Epson swung in a cross with 14 minutes to play that hit the on-loan defender from Kidderminster Harriers and trickled into the net.

After a week that has seen City also knocked out of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup to Droitwich Spa and co-managers Graham Deakin and Keenen Meakin-Richards depart the club after just 23 days in charge, it was a subdued end to a rather unforgettable seven days.

Caretaker manager Stewart Watkins has his work cut out to change the fortunes at the football club and they are back in action in just two days time when they face Stourport Swifts in the Midland Football League Cup at Claines Lane.

It was not just City in action on Saturday as Pershore Town also fell at the first stage following a 2-1 defeat at home to MFL Premier side Atherstone Town.

Playing a side a level above, The Plums went into the clash as underdogs and trailed 2-0 after goals from Adders’ Jamie Hood and Mitch Piggon.

Josh Willis’ strike halved the deficit later in the second-half but despite pushing for an equaliser, they fell short and the visitors progressed into the hat for the second-round.

It also came as the first defeat in all competitions for Danny Janes’ Pershore side who won three cup competitions last season.

But there will be some Worcestershire representative in the hat for the second-round draw on Monday as two goals from Ben Tilbury helped them secure a 4-2 win over fellow MFL Premier rivals Shifnal Town.

Hosts Swifts were 2-0 up at the break as a stoppage time effort from Ben Jevons added to Tilbury’s opener in the opening five minutes of the contest.

Tilbury made it 3-0 just three minutes after the interval before Shifnal pulled one back through Max Chimines.

Chilton added a fourth with 69 minutes on the clock and despite Joe Thompson’s immediate response, Swifts had already done enough to secure their passage.