BEWDLEY re-ignited their hopes of a top two finish in the West Midlands League Premier Division by defeating leaders Bridgnorth 1-0 on Saturday.

Victory means that Town rose to eighth in the table and put them in the drivers' seat to finish behind the leaders.

If Bewdley win their three games in hand they will be in pole-position, if a second promotion spot for the Midlands Alliance becomes available.

At the moment only the champions will be promoted but joint manager Craig Payton is hoping that an opening for a second team will arise.

"We want to finish second and give ourselves a good chance of getting promoted," said Payton.

"At the moment the top team is definitely going up but there are rumours that a second might as well.

"If we win our games in hand we will be second, so that's what we have to aim for.

"Before Christmas we didn't look capable of finishing in the top two but we have strung some results together to give ourselves a good chance."

Town bounced back from Thursday's 3-0 defeat to Alvechurch in the Worcestershire Senior Urn semi-final by seeing off Bridgnorth two days later.

They had dominated before Russell Godfrey's 80th minute strike secured a deserved victory.

Payton said: "I think in the end the Alvechurch had a little bit more class and it showed.

"I think we have taken confidence from the run to the semi-finals into the league games.

"We were the better side on Saturday and Bridgnorth's manager was honest enough to say so himself after the game."

Town take on Gornal Athletic away from home in the league on Saturday.

They then have a valuable chance to rise even further up the table next Wednesday, when they play one of their games in hand at home to mid-table Wellington (7.45pm kick-off).