PERSHORE Town returned to winning ways with a hardearned 2-1 home victory over Lichfield City in the St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division.

They played good football in the first-half, creating several good chances as Mark Owen put Scott Walsh through in the 13th minute but his effort was saved However, Owen scored a wonder goal on 29 minutes, hitting a volley on the turn from 30 yards.

A minute later, a good move involving half-a-dozen passes ended with Steve Webb’s effort going just wide.

Town continued to attack and a deserved second came from an Owen corner that the keeper punched onto his defender’s head, rebounding in for an own goal.

Lichfield pulled one back after 55 minutes when a ball through the middle was finished from inside the box.

Lifted by the goal and with a strong wind in their favour, the visitors put Town under plenty of pressure but the hosts held firm.

Fifth-from-bottom Pershore had less of the ball in the second period but still had chances to score with one goalmouth scramble cleared off the line.

They have a difficult fixture at third-placed Bolehall Swifts on Saturday (3pm) before hosting local rivals Littleton on Boxing Day (11.30am).