JOINT manager Craig Payton praised utility man Russell Godfrey for his impact as Bewdley Town FC kept their hopes of securing second place in the West Midlands League Premier Division alive.

Godfrey's brace ensured that Town came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Gornal Athletic on Saturday.

The draw means Bewdley can still finish second, if they can win their games in hand on the teams above them in the table.

In recent weeks Kidderminster resident Godfrey, who can play in midfield or up front, has been one of Town's in-form players.

He underlined his importance to the side on Saturday when he was moved up front in the second half to replace the injured Jamie Hart.

He handed Town a lifeline with a goal and then secured a point with a spectacular leveller five minutes before the end.

Payton said: "Russell Godfrey has really came to the fore in recent weeks. He's useful because he's versatile and can play on the left, right or as a striker.

"He's playing really well at the moment and when we moved him up front in the second half he grabbed two really good goals."

The draw was also an improvement on last Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Gornal in the League Cup quarter-final.

Town will be hoping to keep the pressure on the teams above them, when they take on bottom side Bromyard at home on Saturday and Ludlow next Wednesday.

The injured trio of Graham Abbis and Lewis and Sam Pountney are expected to have recovered from illness as Town's fixtures pile-up.

Hart though may miss the rest of the season when he limped off on Saturday after a reoccurrence of the ankle injury which kept him out of the side for the last two months.