AN ABSORBING Wyre Forest derby saw Division One South title favourites Bewdley Town pick up a good 1-1 draw at fellow high-fliers Chaddesley Corbett.

But Bewdley were only denied all three points by Ian Vogel's equaliser 14 minutes from time which scrubbed out John Maffei's opener.

The visitors took control of the game from the 20-minute mark with the wind helping them.

Bewdley should have taken the lead when Chris Hough shot weakly at young keeper Mike Connelly, making his first start for Chaddesley.

Strikers, Steve Mares and Maffei, were a constant threat, leaving the home defenders with their hands full.

The town side deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes when Mares chased what seemed a lost cause and crossed for Maffei to powerfully head home from close range.

Chaddesley had just one shot in anger during the first half when Ashley Phillips' long-range drive was superbly held by keeper Jim Pickett.

They played much better in the second period but only threatened from free-kicks.

Pickett made an excellent save from a Matt Baynton set-piece on 62 minutes before man-of-the-match Neil Lucas' goal-bound strike was deflected away for a corner.

Bewdley's defence, well marshalled by Paul Field, held firm until Chaddesley equalised with 13 minutes left.

A long clearance by substitute keeper Steve Parker, who had played for Northampton youth in the morning, found Craig Pratt and he held off a defender before pulling an intelligent ball back for Vogel to drive home.

Chaddesley's players are asked to meet at Brintons at 1.30pm for Saturday's game with Ledbury Town Reserves.