STOURBRIDGE climbed back in to the Southern League Premier play-off positions after pulling off a 4-1 win over rock-bottom Bashley. - writes NICK PULLEN

The Glassboys should have established a substancial lead by half time, but instead came off the park level pegging at the interval having squandered a series of chances.

Skipper Sean Geddes sent recent signing Tom Berwick racing clear on 14 minutes and the striker tried to chip advancing Bashley goalkeeper Nic Jones but only succeeded in firing straight into his arms. 

Stourbridge took the lead on 24 minutes when a low driven free kick from Geddes eluded everyone as it finished up in the bottom corner of the net after Ben Billingham had been brought down by defender Luke Ansell on the edge of the box.

The Glassboys should have gone 2-0 up a minute later when Billingham released Kayelden Brown, but he shot straight at Jones, who was able to turn the ball round the post.

Bashley then surprised everyone by scoring with their only worthwhile effort on goal after 32 minutes.

Striker Scott Joyce charged down an attempted clearence kick by Stourbridge right back Kyle Haynes and followed through to fire past goalkeeper Dean Coleman.

As a result, the half finished at 1-1, although Stourbridge were kicking themselves after Brown failed to connect with Berwick's ball fired across the goalmouth on 42 minutes.

What could have proved a problematic second half for Stourbridge was spared when Brown rifled the Glassboys back in front again on 53 minutes after Geddes had unselfishly created the chance by squaring the ball across the goalmouth from 15 yards out.

A third goal quickly followed on 59 minutes when some slick passing between Haynes and Jordan Fitzpatrick sent Billingham weaving his way into the penalty area before swiping the ball home beyond the reach of Jones.

That goal effectively sealed the result but then  Bashley added to their downfall when central defender Dave Marden was sent off for unceremoniously bringing down Billingham when en route for goal.

Billingham got up to take the resulting free kick with dead ball specialist Geddes having already beeen substituted, but Jones pulled off a top class save to keep the ball out.

Stourbridge brought on prolific youth team striker Jordan Murphy in the closing stages and the youngster was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet when Bashley defender Brad Strickland cleared a goalbound Murphy effort off the line with Jones hopelessly out of position.

Stourbridge made it 4-1 on 92 minutes, Leon Broadhurst turning home a Fitzpatrick corner.

In truth, Stourbridge should have won by a wider margin and they will need to be much sharper in front of goal when they travel to top of the table Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday night.