PERSHORE were knocked off the top of Birmingham League Division Two following a shock seven-wicket defeat to lowly Fordhouses at The Bottoms.

The home side were on a run of three successive victories but they failed to fire against Fordhouses who had not won a game all season.

Alex Clasen (3), Liam Ridings (17), Jon Hancock (19) and Chris Miles (3) were all dismissed to leave Pershore on 60-4.

Chris Ridings hit six fours and three sixes on his way to 68 and Matt Brace added 37 as the hosts responded.

But Fordhouses polished off the tail with Kashif Hussain finishing on 3-35 and David Powles 3-41 to bowl Pershore out for 177.

The visitors then went on the attack with opener Sanjay Ramaswamy (51) and Steven Sandu (54) hitting half centuries.

Darren Critcher took two wickets and Lee Wilks grabbed the other but Fordhouses reached the victory target in the 37th over.

Pershore who slipped to fourth position visit Penkridge on Saturday (midday).