OPTIMISTIC joint-boss Nick Stocker says title-chasing Tenbury United must keep believing that Premier Division rivals Wellington Reserves will slip up in the race for the coveted Herefordshire League crown.

United maintained their five-point lead at the head of the table with a 3-2 home win over Leominster Town last weekend, a victory inspired by Stocker's co-manager Aaron Morris scoring twice and creating the other goal. Unbeaten Wellington, with three games in hand, defeated Ledbury Town 3-0.

Stocker said: “We have to believe Wellington will drop points before the end of the season and that will put us back in the driving seat. Until then we have to just keep winning and keep the pressure on them.”

Saturday’s contest with Leominster was goalless at the break, United keeper Robbie Farrar having made a couple of decent saves, but Stocker’s half-time changes proved pivotal.

He explained:?“I had to make changes at half-time and the boys who came on made a big difference. Chris Patton was put out on the right, Ian Patterson was sent up front to help out an isolated Dale Withers and Matt Kurkus and myself went into the middle. We slowed the game down and straight away started we stated to create chances.”

The talismanic Morris opened the scoring with a trademark 30-yard free-kick, and he was given the chance to add a second when Stocker and Withers combined well in the box and Stocker was taken out before he could get a shot in. Morris stepped up to convert the penalty.

Had it not been for the Leominster keeper, Tenbury could have been five or six up, but the visitors fell 3-0 behind on the hour when Morris crossed for brother Ryan to head home from close range.

The game looked over but Leominster refused to go under quietly. With ten minutes left they reduced the arrears and five minutes later they added a second to give United a nervy finish.

Stocker added:?“Aaron Morris has been brilliant this season and not only at the back. He’s also been there when we needed him to pop up with a goal or two.”