Pershore travelled to in-form Longlevens, one of the division’s strongest sides in recent weeks, unbeaten in six league games with notable wins over Worcester Raiders, Slimbridge and Roman Glass. The Plums, meanwhile, arrived after a frustrating run in which good performances had yielded just one point and no goals in four league outings.

It had been another week of change for Pershore as striker Prince Henry departed for Worcester Raiders following approaches from both them and Stourport Swifts. A lengthy absentee list added to the challenge, with Chris Gregan, Elliott Sumnall, Cian Sheehan, Jude Hill, Calum Harper and Jack Neal all unavailable alongside longer-term absentees Lucas Colley and Nigel Hinkulow.

New arrivals Joe Clayton (from Droitwich Spa) and Dan Olaloko (dual registration from Bromyard Town) were included, with Clayton starting and Josh Gibbs making his full first-team debut after impressing at under-18 level.

On a difficult surface, the opening stages were cagey, with Longlevens edging territory and forcing a number of corners without creating any clear openings.

Pershore carved the first meaningful chance when good work from Jack Griffiths Perry released Macca King, whose strike from the edge of the box brought a solid save from the home keeper. From the resulting corner, Reece Day rose well to head back across goal, only for George Hunt’s goalbound effort to be blocked by a defender.

Minutes later, Longlevens produced a near-identical opening at the other end, but Joe Cunneen made a brave stop, taking the full force of a close-range effort to the face.

Those chances proved the best of a tightly contested first half.

Longlevens began the second half brightly, with top scorer Fin Gwillim collecting a loose ball on the edge of the box before dragging his left-footed effort wide.

Just after the hour, Pershore broke dangerously as Day sent Griffiths Perry racing into the Longlevens half. The winger cut inside and fired on target, but no support arrived quickly enough to convert the rebound.

Moments later, as the home side pushed forward, the floodlights suddenly failed, plunging the ground into darkness. Despite attempts to restore power, the lights could not be fixed, and after a delay the referee abandoned the match with 63 minutes played and the score 0-0.

A frustrating end for both sides, with Pershore showing improved organisation and flashes of promise before the early halt to proceedings.