THE Great Escape is still on the cards for Shawbury United after they stormed to 7-2 win at Lye Town in the Premier Division of the Midland Football League.

And with the Shropshire side now just five points adrift of county rivals Haughmond, they could climb out of the bottom three if they win their games in hand.

Liam Taylor led the way on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick to help make it ten points from their last five games, with the others coming from James Askey, Benji Robinson, Liam Armstrong and a penalty from skipper Sean Evans.

But they were also indebted to keeper Ian Havard who pulled off an excellent save inside the opening ten minutes as Lye piled on the early pressure.

“He’s made that save and we’ve opened the scoring through Liam Taylor,” boss Dave Richards said.

“James Askey has then headed in a corner and we’ve gone from strength to strength.

“I wasn’t able to get to the game – Stu Lewis and Dave Cooper were in charge – but I’ve been told that some of the football we played on a heavy Lye pitch was exceptional.

“A lot of those lads who played on Saturday had been told by other people that they weren’t good enough to play in this league and that Shawbury wasn’t good enough.

"They are proving now that they are good enough.

“We know that you are only as good as your last game so we are taking nothing for granted.

"We play Westfields this Saturday and we know that is going to be difficult.

“But the difference for us is that our lads are playing for the club.

"Six of those who played at Lye have had a chance to move elsewhere this season and to earn some money but they’ve decided to stay with Shawbury.”

Ludlow, meanwhile, scored an injury time winner to see off in-form West Midlands Division Two outfit Bewdley Town Reserves 5-4.

The visitors hadn’t lost on the road all season but a 91st minute effort from recent signing Danny Gower wrapped up the points.

Ryan Lewis, James Byatt, Jack Marston and Kieran Dovey were also on the scoresheet.

Manager Luke Hicks admitted he’s have been happy with the draw after seeing his side level the game at 4-4 going into the final stages, substitute Dovey bagging the goal after coming off the bench.

“Kieran’s totally changed the game,” Hicks explained.

“He’s skipped past four players, passed to Jack Marston who has set-up Danny Gower to score the winner.

“It was a very good performance against a side that had drawn with the leaders the previous week.

"Jack Marston was man of the match – he’s just 16 but was excellent.”

Ludlow head to leaders Sikh Hunters this Saturday, while league rivals Church Stretton travel to Market Drayton Town Reserves after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Rock Rovers at the weekend.