Stourbridge 4, Spennymoor Town 2

MARK Wright hit two goals as the gutsy Glassboys made further progress in the FA Trophy.

Stourbridge had to show real character to make it into the draw for the first round after a strong showing from today's opponents from the Northern League Division One North.

Only an improved second half performance from Gary Hackett's men enabled them to edge away before the end.

It was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the play from the off at a wet and windy War Memorial Ground.

Time and time again Town picked up loose balls and worked good openings with neat play around the Stour penalty area.

Lewis Solly was called into action on a number of occasions as the hosts failed to get their attacking game going.

The first real opportunity saw Solly push away an effort from Danny Frost on 10 minutes before Liam Henderson rattled the woodwork on 19 minutes after Ben Billingham failed to clear the ball near the edge of the box.

The Glassboys did look dangerous on occasions when they did get into the final third but it was Spennymoor that looked more composed when on the attack.

Stour found it difficult to find their passing game, which was perhaps down to the six changes made from last Saturday's league success at Marine.

Back came regulars Stuart Pierpoint and Justin Richards as well as starts for Louis Harris, Drew Canavan, Tyree Clarke and Mark Wright.

Solly again saved on 36 minutes when getting behind a dipping long range effort from Andrew Stephenson.

But, despite all the Town pressure, it was Stour that opened the scoring against the run of the play just a minute later.

Drew Canavan, breaking from midfield, beat his man down the right before lofting a ball to Wright at the far post.

He connected well to force the ball over the line as Dan Lowton got something behind the effort but not enough to keep it out.

Unfazed by the setback after being on top all half, the visitors soon found themselves level at the break.

Defender Joseph Tait rose to powerfully head home a Stephenson corner in the 41st minute.

It was the least Spennymoor deserved for their early dominance.

However, the second half was to see the Glassboys grow as the contest drew on, but not before Town found the net again.

In the 54th minute, Stephenson shimmied his way towards goal before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner to hand his side a 2-1 lead.

This is when Stour really had to dig deep if they were to claw their way back into the match.

The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when skipper Stuart Pierpoint headed home an in-swinging Billingham free kick from the right flank.

Within three minutes the Glassboys had their noses in front as they suddenly found their shooting boots.

A ball up to Richards saw the forward chest the ball down before firing early past Lowson.

It was a sublime effort from the striker who worked hard all afternoon.

Stour were getting more joy going forwards, especially through the excellent Junior Smikle.

Their progress was ensured three minutes from time when Wright reacted quickest to bag his second of the game.

Smikle had fed Clarke down the right before he crossed to the far post towards the late-arriving Wright.

A scrambling Lowson then spilt the ball as he rushed off his line to try and prevent it reaching the left winger.

Wright was the first to react to the loose ball and kept his cool to roll in the fourth.

It was a disjointed showing for large parts against an accomplished Spennymoor outfit but the Glassboys dug in and finally showed their finishing prowess once they did get on top.

Attention can now turn to next Saturday's eagerly-anticipated FA Cup clash when National League side Eastleigh visit Amblecote.

Stourbridge: Solly, Green, Knight, Harris, Smikle, Pierpoint (c), Canavan (Tonks 81), Billingham, Clarke, Richards, Wright.

Unused Subs: Scarr, Dodd, Lait, Price.

Spennymoor: Lowson, Griffiths, Mason (c), Kerr (Risbrough 57), Tait, Watson, Stephenson, Hawkins, Henderson, Frost (Fisher 74), Cogdon.

Unused Subs: Moore, Johnson.