GORNAL continued their strong push towards the finish line with a well deserved win in a closely contested battle with Shifnal on Tuesday night.

A first-half goal by Gornal striker Kristian Green was enough to seal the points for the visitors in a game low on chances but high on energy.

It was the home side who came closest to opening the scoring on ten minutes when Andy Thompson did well to control a high through ball and knock it past onrushing keeper James Pemberton before screwing the opportunity wide from 20 yards.

Gornal almost took the lead on the half hour when a long-range Richard Young free-kick eluded everybody and almost sneaked into the net.

But just seconds later a 25 yard pass by Lee Wherton found unmarked striker Green who took the ball in his stride to slot home.

The home side – who were beaten 6-0 by Gornal earlier in the season – battled excellently in their efforts to find an equaliser but found a Gornal defence marshalled by 40-year-old stalwart Pete Wood a tough nut to crack.

The aging legs of Wood repeatedly thwarted Shifnal attacks although on 69 minutes the impressive Rhys Adams wasted an excellent chance and just 90 seconds later a fantastic double save by James Pemberton in the Gornal goal denied the home side their best opportunity to equalise.

Shifnal’s pressure continued with on 75 minutes when an excellent pass by Andy Thompson was skied by Gareth Horler.

The game threatened to go either way as it entered the final stages but Gornal held firm under intense Shifnal pressure and could have doubled their lead in the dying moments when an excellent save by Dominic Smith stopped Dave Meese in a one-on-one situation.

Shifnal: Dominic Smith; Andy Davies; David Howells; Tom Griffin (Capt); Steve Darlington (Matt Kent 88); Liam Bood; Rhys Adams; Zach Johnson; Andy Thompson (Chris Henry 63); Gareth Horler; Mike Jordan.

Gornal: James Pemberton; Richard Young; Pete Wood (Gregg Gray, 90); Paul Henley; Chris Waterhouse (Captain); Matt Martin; Dave Meese; Lee Wherton; Chris Bladen (Gurdeep Wilkhoo 35); Marvin Nisbett; Kristian Green.