Meir KA 3, Pershore Town 2

PERSHORE Town's winning run ended on Saturday with a narrow defeat in the ICIS Midland Comb-ination Premier Division.

Lowly Meir went ahead in the 20th minute when Mack Banks set-up Darren Johnson to drive the ball past goal keeper Barry McLean.

McLean then pulled off a great save to deny Alan Hope on 30 minutes while, at the other end, brother Tony hit a far post cross for Simon Judge to head straight at keeper Paul Wade.

Pershore pressed forward in search of the equaliser, defender Paul Dugdale's header after a McLean cross was cleared off the goal-line by Meir's Scott Reaney.

They did get the equaliser in the 43rd minute, midfielder's Kristian Wood and Chris Allen combined to give Simon Brain a free shot for goal.

One minute later an Allen cross was challenged for near the foot of the upright by Brain, the ball ran free for Judge to fire home from close-range.

Pershore were 2-1 ahead to start the second half and an early cross by Allen to Tony McLean should have increased their lead, but the striker fired wide from only five yards.

Meir's Hope had bad luck in the 65th minute when his terrific drive rebounded off the upright, then a Daniel Beech rocket had to be superbly parried by Barry McLean but the loose ball was seized upon by Darren Johnson for the equaliser.

Pershore's defence was caught well upfield three minutes from time. Meir's Johnson looked to be well offside, just over the halfway line, but he ran for goal and played the ball for Hope to drive in the winner.