PERSHORE Town claimed a fine 2-2 draw at Littleton in an entertaining Vale derby.

The third-from-bottom visitors started the St Mary's Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division game strongly.

Pershore had three decent half-chances inside the first 20 minutes and Louis Bridges cut in from the right but was denied by the keeper's legs.

Both sides needed a player to slow the ball down, though, and use it better although neither were lacking in energy.

However, Jamie Insall opened the scoring for Littleton on 22 minutes by steering home a right-wing cross from close range.

Five minutes later, Insall hit a powerful drive straight at the keeper and Stuart Hall fired the rebound wide.

Pershore were unlucky to be behind at half-time but Littleton started much better in the second period.

They doubled their lead on 51 minutes with Hall's right-footed shot from the edge of the area after a short-corner routine.

The hosts controlled the game more and created several good chances.

But Pershore grabbed a lifeline just five minutes later when Bridges' corner was nodded back across goal by Nathan Mclaughlin for Mark Hands to head home.

The goal lifted the visitors although Will Gayton's piledriver for Littleton in response was clawed around the post.

But Pershore deservedly equa-lised with eight minutes left when Zach Blood fired a low drive inside the far post from a tight angle.

The teams play the return match at Pershore on Easter Monday, April 21.

On Saturday, 10th-placed Littleton now host Alvis Sporting Club, who were due to be the home team, and Pershore entertain leaders Brocton.

The fixtures have been delayed to 3.07pm kick-offs to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Pershore then head to Southam United next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, Badsey Rangers' Division Two title hopes suffered another blow with a 4-0 defeat at local rivals Alcester Town.

Bredon remain bottom of Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One after a 1-1 home draw with fellow strugglers Dursley Town.

They host high-flying Broadwell Amateurs on Saturday but are still nine points off third-from-bottom Dursley.