PERSHORE Town surrendered to a workmanlike Stafford Town outfit in Saturday's 2-1 Midland League Division One defeat.

Keen for a win before embarking on a tough schedule of five consecutive away trips, Town found themselves behind after just seven minutes when Charlie Marshall tapped in a cross.

Pershore's Pawel Tomczak headed a Daniel Priest cross inches over the bar but the hosts went 2-0 down after 20 minutes.

Keeper Toby Wilcox did well to block a fierce drive from Taylor Allen but had no chance as Stafford skipper Jasper Johns crashed home from the corner that followed.

Try as they might, Town continued to struggle to make any headway until the final few minutes of the second half.

Scott Devlin hit the bar with a chip from the edge of the box and in the last minute, Mitch Butterworth was brought down as he broke through the Stafford defence.

It took two attempts for Jamie Clarke to net from 12 yards but it was no more than a consolation for Pershore.