BEWDLEY Town's 4-3 West Midlands League premier division defeat at Dudley added insult to injury after skipper Neil Turford was rushed to hospital with a horrific gash to his thigh.

The game had to be stopped for 20 minutes while Turford waited for paramedics to arrive and boss Craig Payton said: "This is the worst injury I've ever seen. His thigh has been slashed at least 14 inches exposing leg tissue, just missing his main artery.

"It will take some time to heal and all the lads, management and club would like to sincerely wish Neil and his family well."

Bewdley were 2-0 down just after half-time and Turford's injury occurred when he was involved in an accidental clash with the keeper as he pulled a goal back.

Dudley added another two goals and Bewdley seemed dead and buried - especially when John Hardiman was red-carded for his second bookable offence.

But despite being down to 10-men, Bewdley rallied late on and with goals from Jamie Hart and Lewis Pountney came agonisingly close to sneaking an unlikely draw.

The defeat follows Bewdley's goalless draw at Goodrich last week and they have now slipped to fifth.

They have two tough games ahead with a trip to table-toppers Market Drayton on Saturday before next Wednesday's home Worcestershire FA Senior Cup tie with Pershore.

l Ex Swifts keeper Aaron O'Malley kept a clean sheet for his second game in between the sticks as Bewdley Reserves beat Sedgley Town Sports by 1 - 0 thanks to John Griffin's goal.

Manager Rich Downey said: "I'm very pleased with Aaron's attitude and form while he's been on loan from Stourbridge."

They visit Bromyard Town Reserves in Division Two on Saturday.

Bewdley under-18s take on table-toppers Penns Colts.