PERSHORE Town’s five-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by high-flying visitors Hinckley AFC and slipped into the Midland League Division One bottom two.
However, the third placed visitors were made to work extremely hard for their victory by a Town side who created the best chances in a close encounter.
Town started well and Steve Webb’s shot from just inside the area went narrowly wide in the first minute.
Reece Jacobs and Jamie Clarke also tested Hinckley’s keeper but Town wasted a great opportunity to take the lead after 34 minutes when Jacobs placed his effort high and wide when well placed 15 yards out.
Hinckley were fortunate to reach half time level and, although Shaun Edwards was called upon to push an effort over the bar just before the break, Town’s defence was comfortable against the visitors’ attack that included the league’s top scorer Ryan Seal.
Early in the second half Clarke was through on goal but his lobbed effort was just turned away by Hinckley’s keeper.
Town finally took the lead after 59 minutes when a Webb and Chris Priest combination fed through Jacobs who fired a fierce right-footed shot from the edge of the area into the far corner.
However, Hinckley equalised three minutes later when a free kick from wide of the area was crossed into the box and James Williams’ header found the net.
Lifted by the goal, the visitors pushed for a winner which was scored by substitute Sam Agar with another header after 75 minutes.
Town travel to doomed Southam United tomorrow (Tuesday) knowing a win will lift them out of the drop zone and possibly as high as 16th.
