DUDLEY Sports handed themselves a massive survival lifeline with a 2-1 victory at Malvern Town last Saturday.

Bradley Welding opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the visitors before Town hit back. However, Rich Nicholson's strike handed his side all three points.

The win moves Sports up to 18th in the West Midlands Premier League with games in hand on those above them.

Boss Tony Gore now wants his side to build on the confidence-boosting success.

He said: "The lads have battled hard and put in a fantastic performance. We have had to defend for our lives at times but that is exactly what you have to do.

"We know we have got that level of performance at our club but we just need to show it more often.

"We have now put ourselves in a good position, have games in hand and still need to play the teams around us.

"The lads need to realise that if they can go to Malvern and beat them at their place then they really shouldn't fear anyone at this level.

"We need to build on that win now, take confidence from it and look to follow it up."

Sports now face a vital clash when AFC Bridgnorth, who sit just two places above, visit Hillcrest Avenue this Saturday (3pmkick-off).