BEWDLEY were furious at leaving Market Drayton empty-handed after giving the West Midlands League Premier Division leaders a real fright during a 3-2 defeat.

They opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Lewis Pountney beat the keeper to the ball to volley home from close range.

But Ward hit back for the table-toppers soon after, getting beyond Jan Mulders and firing past Steve Thomas in the Bewdley goal.

Payton's men got their noses in front again on 36 minutes when Jamie Hart scored his ninth goal of the season after good play by Pountney.

Bewdley held the lead until the break but despite some super second half saves from Thomas, Steve Davies levelled for Market Drayton after Pountney had missed a sitter.

Drayton piled more misery on Bewdley two minutes from time with a controversial penalty winner.

There seemed to have been two players offside during the move that saw former Harriers favourite Delwyn Humpreys brought down by Thomas in the box, but the linesman did nothing.

With Bewdley still seething, Davies calmly converted for his second of the game to wrap up a dramatic and scarcely deserved vicory for Drayton.

Boss Craig Payton said: "We were robbed today after taking the lead then looking like we were in for a draw.

"Their winning goal clearly came from an offside position. The supporters saw it, the opposition laughed at it, but the linesman could not keep up with play."

Bewdley are away to Wolverhampton Casuals at 2.45pm on Saturday and entertain Wyrley Rangers on Wednesday evening at 7.45pm.

The reserves did not play last weekend but visit Bromyard Town at 2.45pm on Saturday in West Midlands League Division Two.