STEVE Holt’s stoppage-time winner sent Bewdley to the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division – and shattered Wellington’s 15-match unbeaten run.
Holt broke Wellington’s hearts 90 seconds into added-time with a crisp shot into the top corner after a quickly-taken free-kick had caught out the home defence.
Last Saturday’s home defeat was a blow to fifth-placed Wellington’s own promotion hopes.
Bewdley had former Port Vale, Kidderminster and Stoke City striker Richard Burgess leading their attack – and they created the better chances.
The 34-year-old forward, once a trainee at Aston Villa, twice fired narrowly wide and he was also denied by a superb save from goalkeeper Marc Priday.
Priday was Wellington’s man-of-the-match and he made two important saves in the early stages of a hard-fought clash played in gusty conditions on a heavy pitch.
Former Hereford United goalkeeper Priday pushed Lewis Pountney’s close-range effort on to the bar in the ninth minute and he tipped away a free-kick from Dan Ludlow.
Wellington were also indebted to a defender who blocked Burgess’ goal-bound shot after a cut-back from Ludlow.
Bewdley, attacking down the slope, almost took the lead in the 32nd minute when Chris Hough blazed over after a slick passing move.
Wellington created more opportunities in the second half and Matt Williams had a shot blocked at the near post before Wayne McNeil delivered a left-wing cross which evaded the home strikers.
Priday made his best stop of the day eight minutes into the second period, diving to his right to keep out a close-range shot from Burgess.
James Blake drove wide after a good run from McNeil and Burgess narrowly missed the target after a Gary Middleton effort had deflected into his path.
Burgess also had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 70th minute but his first-time shot flashed wide from 10 yards.
With just two minutes remaining, Holt blazed over from the right-hand edge of the Wellington box.
However, Holt made no mistake in the 92nd minute after Bewdley wasted little time in taking a free-kick which had been harshly-awarded against Wellington.
Burgess pulled the ball back to Holt who, from 10 yards, fired into the top left-hand corner to inflict Wellington’s first defeat since last September.
Bewdley’s win avenged a 4-3 home defeat to Wellington earlier in the season.
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