Pershore travelled to Tuffley looking to respond to their heavy loss at Slimbridge, while the hosts aimed to continue their momentum after a midweek 4-1 victory over Lydney. Tuffley had won all four of the encounters between the two sides over the last two seasons, and were looking to extend that.

The home side struck early, taking the lead on six minutes when a neat through ball split the Pershore backline and their winger slotted past Joe Cunneen.

Conditions worsened as heavy rain fell, with Pershore enjoying spells of possession but struggling to find a cutting edge. Tuffley threatened on the counter, forcing Cunneen into several good saves. Pershore’s best opening of the first half came through Jack Griffiths Perry, who twice caused problems down the left, while Archie Thurston saw an effort deflected.

The visitors came out much stronger after the break. On 49 minutes Jude Hill’s free kick was tipped over, and from the resulting corner Perry scuffed a good chance wide. Minutes later, Merchant denied efforts from Perry and Yuri Quintas, but the pressure finally told.

From another Hill delivery, the ball fell to Scott Wheeler, who teed up centre-back Callum Clayton to calmly slot home from the edge of the box on 58 minutes.

Pershore pushed on, with Perry, Thurston and Day all going close. The decisive moment arrived in the 76th minute: Reece Day’s clever backheel released Hill, whose perfectly timed through ball sent Quintas clear. The winger showed composure to slot beyond the onrushing Merchant for 2-1.

Deep into stoppage time Quintas nearly added a third, rounding the keeper but losing balance after a slight knock. Tuffley then had one last chance, but Cunneen was quickly off his line to make a vital one-on-one save and preserve the win.

A strong second-half performance and goals from Clayton and Quintas ensured Pershore took all three points back up the M5.