Haughmond stun league leaders Tividale

The win reduced Tividale’s lead over third-placed Haughmond to 12 points – but the Shrewsbury-based side have three games in hand.

Prolific marksman Steve Hole led the way with two goals in a match where both teams had a player sent off

Haughmond could not have wished for a better start to the game after Matt Fletcher scored with an inswinging corner that managed to deceive everyone in the first three minutes.

They were unlucky not to make it two when Scott Ryan was put through on goal but the Tividale keeper made a great stop to deny Haughmond a second in the first 10 minutes.

The visitors had to show their defensive qualities as Tividale pressed to get back on terms but the longer the game went on the more comfortable they looked and they went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

Haughmond went 2-0 up when Scott Ryan crossed and Joe Parry’s dummy allowed Kev Renshaw to bury his effort past a static keeper.

Joe Parry thit the post and Tividale then had a player red carded for a second yellow after a late challenge on Fletcher to reduce them to 10 men.

Adam Knott replaced Kev Renshaw and straight away the substitute was hacked down in the penalty area after rounding the full-back and up stepped Hole to bury the penalty and make it 3-0.

Charlie Musselwhite became the second player red-carded after a clumsy challenge on the half way line, but Haughmond continued to attack and again Adam Knott outstripped the full back and pulled it back for Hole to pick up his second of the day.

Elsewhere, the Shropshire derby saw AFC Bridgnorth and Shawbury end 2-2 at Crown Meadow.

Luke Morris and Jake Lloyd scored for AFC with a Sean Evans penalty and a goal from Joe Delacoe evening things up.

“All in all it was a fair result as Bridgnorth went down to 10 men with 20 minutes to go, but never gave in,” said Shawbury manager Dave Richards.

“We had the better chance to put the game to bed – Evans missing a couple as did and Delacoe which the Bridgnotth keeper pulled a great save off.”

Shifnal beat Pershore Town 1-0.