Tenbury United 2 Wolverhampton United 3

TENBURY'S West Midlands League Division 1 relegation struggles deepened on Saturday, as another decent performance ended in defeat against fellow candidates for the drop.

They can only reflect on what might have been, after totally dominating the first half but going in all-square 1-1 at the break, and then taking the lead inside the final ten minutes of a more even second period.

United started well and were totally in control for the opening half hour, creating sufficient chances to have sealed the victory inside the first third of the game. Unfort-unately lack of the killer instinct in front of goal cost them dearly once again in the final analysis.

The one goal they did score was a picture goal, Mike Foster attacking down the right wing, swapping passes with Brett McIntosh and then unleashing a first time shot that left the Wolves keeper stranded. George Pearson had a good opportunity to double the score but put his effort straight at the keeper.

The visitors struck back after this and levelled the score when they poked the loose ball home after the United defence failed to clear a corner. They also started the second half looking the sharper side, but with the home defence looking composed under pressure, their greatest threat came from breakaways.

The game appeared to have reached a stalemate, with chances limited for both sides, before the hectic last ten minutes. With player/manager Colin Powell making a welcome return as substitute after a long-term injury, United took the lead when Simon Newhill latched onto a partially cleared corner and hammered it home from outside the box.

Wolverhampton responded with an even longer distance equaliser after the home side lost possession from the restart, and went on to steal the victory with a breakaway third goal.