Shifnal Town produced an improved Midland Alliance performance but paid for defensive errors as they lost 3-1 at home to Westfields.

The Phoenix Park men fell behind after only five minutes when Mark Davis headed in off Daryl Addis’ cross for the Herefordshire side.

But Shifnal did not let their heads drop and they were level on 19 minutes when a long ball caught out the visiting defence and Alex Bloomer raced through to slip the ball past keeper Jon Pugh from 25 yards.

A defensive mix-up gave Paul Casey the opportunity to square for Addis to put Westfields back in front, and Matt Delves then missed a golden chance to level for Shifnal.

The game remained in the balance until five minutes from time, when Mark Hibbard headed in off a deflected cross.

And Shifnal’s misery was complete as Danny Walne was sent off deep into stoppage time after collecting a second yellow card.

* Shawbury United missed the chance to climb off the bottom of the Sport Italia West Midlands League premier division as they went down 2-0 at home to Dudley Town.

Both goals came in the second half, the second on the break in injury-time as Shawbury chased a leveller.

“We should have been out of sight before half-time,” said frustrated manager Craig Rogers. “We absolutely battered them and should have been 4-0 up at least, but couldn’t take our chances.”

Hanwood United’s scheduled trip to Riverway in division one was postponed due to a “boggy” pitch – and that cost the villagers top spot in the table.

They had taken over at the summit thanks to a fine 2-1 victory over previous leaders Stafford Town last weekend.

But Stafford took advantage of their rivals inactivity last night, going back in front as a result of their own 4-1 victory away to Bridgnorth Town Reserves.

Bridgnorth’s goal came courtesy of a Richard Golding penalty very late on.