Stourbridge 1 Skelmersdale United 0

Gary Hackett was be looking for a response from his team after disappointing defeats against Barwell and Buxton in the League, followed by elimination from the Doodson Sport League Cup on Tuesday night at the hands of Leek Town, and the shock departure of central defender and skipper Paul McCone back to Hednesford Town.

Josh Morgan-Parker retained his place in attack after impressing against Leek in midweek, whilst former Youth Teamer Keiran Morris replaced McCone after signing on a month's loan from SkyBet Championship Brentford.

The Glassboys began on the front foot but it was not until the 13th minute that they created the first chance, Morgan-Parker linking up well with George Bowerman before the latter put his shot just wide. And then on 20 minutes, Leon Broadhurst tested visiting keeper Martin Fearon with a shot that he was forced to tip over the bar.

Meanwhile, at the other end Skelmersdale were finding it hard to create openings from which they could test Dean Coleman.

The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes in spectacular style by Drew Canavan. Given the opportunity from a free kick just outside the penalty area after a foul on Bowerman, the Stourbridge man repeated his effort at Buxton last Saturday with another curler into the top corner that Fearon could do nothing about.

Stung by going behind, Skem upped their tempo at the start of the second period and Coleman was forced into action almost straight away, first saving well to turn Alex Meaney's 47th minute shot from distance round the post, and then from the resulting corner producing another fine stop from Connor McCarthy's header.

And four minutes later Coleman was called into action again to tip Kenny Strickland's effort over the crossbar.

For a spell, Stourbridge were pushed onto the back-foot but managed to keep Skelmersdale at bay and blunt their attacks.

Just before the hour mark, Will Richards went close to a second goal and some "insurance" for Stourbridge when Fearon saved his shot from the edge of the box, and then substitute Kristian Ramsey-Dickson ran at goal before blazing his shot over the bar on 78 minutes.

Almost immediately at the other end, Exodus Geohaghon had to be alert to clear under pressure as Skelmersdale looked to salvage at least a point.

However, the Glassboys repelled their efforts and saw out the goal for a precious three points and a rare clean sheet.

The win lifts Stourbridge up one place to 10th in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division table, climbing above King's Lynn Town who, ironically, are the visitors to the War Memorial Ground next Saturday.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Morgan-Parker (Smikle 88), Brown (Till 67), Morris, Richards, Geohaghon, Haynes, Broadhurst, Bowerman (Ramsey-Dickson 74), Canavan, Knight.

Unused substitutes: Benbow, Tye.

Attendance: 412.