PERSHORE Town lost 1-0 at Coventry Copsewood in Midland League Division One after having two men sent off.

The hosts started the brighter but were restricted to long-range efforts.

Town’s best effort of the half was a Will Gayton and Sean Cooke exchange of passes with the former’s shot saved.

Substitute Steve Roche was put through by Lou Bridges on the hour but his effort was saved by the advancing keeper.

The match changed shortly afterwards when Roche was sent off after being adjudged to kick out at a Copsewood player following a challenge.

The hosts took advantage of the extra player and put Town under pressure.

Keeper Shaun Edwards made a few good saves but the pressure told with 12 minutes remaining when a cross into the box was finished from close range with a shot into the roof of the net.

Late on, Cooke was denied by the Copsewood keeper but any chance of a comeback was over when Pershore were then reduced to nine men.

James Walker received a red card for bringing down Connor Farrell who was through on goal.

Meanwhile, Malvern Town drifted further away from the top two in the West Midlands League Premier Division with a 3-2 loss at Wolverhampton Casuals.

Missing seven first-teamers, Malvern scored through Dave Reynolds and Nathan Hughes at Casuals, who are fifth in the table.

Fixtures tomorrow night see sixth-placed Redditch United host basement boys Cinderford Town in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

Runaway leaders Hereford FC visit North Leigh, who are in seventh position in Division One South and West.

Midland League Premier Division title chasers Westfields visit Coventry United.

The Worcestershire FA Senior Urn semi-finals pair Bromsgrove Sporting and Malvern Town, while Stourport Swifts head to Highgate United in the other last four clash.

Alvechurch head to Tividale in the JW Hunt Cup.

All the matches kick off at 7.45pm weather permitting.