PERSHORE Town came from behind to end Worcester Raiders' hopes of winning the Hellenic League Division One title with a dramatic 3-2 win at Sixways.

Raiders hopes of chasing down leaders Studley has stuttered in recent weeks and knew only wins for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign would give them a chance with three to play but a 90th minute winner from Levi Steele extinguished all hope and pushed Pershore into the final play-off position as a result.

The hosts led through former Pershore striker Josh Willis but ex-Raiders man James Baldwin levelled before Aidan Clark's stunning volley put the visitors ahead.

Joe Billingham restored parity on the hour when rattling in a shot from 25 yards but as they pushed for the winning goal they so needed, Pershore were the ones to pinch all three points late on as Steele crashed the ball home from close range to spark jubilant scenes from the away support.

The game had started so well for Worcester and having only moved from Pershore to Sixways a month ago, striker Willis had already had a couple of chances to score before he did indeed thump home the opener via a deflection past Eddie Cox.

Willis would be denied a second just five minutes later thanks to a stunning Cox save as the hosts found their feet but the visitors rallied and were on level terms three minutes before the break when ex-Raider Baldwin latched onto a neat through ball to slot home with aplomb.

Billingham went close as keeper Cox tipped over once more and then the goal of the game came shortly afterwards as Clark wrapped his foot around a volley from 25 yards that fizzed into the top corner.

Karl Gormley's men were now up against it but did equalise when the industrious Billingham let fly with a low shot from 25 yards.

Cox saved again and the crossbar came to Pershore's rescue as Raiders threw men forward but despite all their push, their search for automatic promotion was ended in the 90th minute as Steele finished from inside the area to give the away side a vital three points.

Pershore move into fifth on 54 points and it is now, with two games to play, it is in their hands to reach the play-off semi-finals.