Gloucestershire County League

Thornbury Town 1 Rockleaze Rangers 0

THORNBURY secured another vital win in their battle against the drop when one goal was enough to beat fellow strugglers Rockleaze Rangers.

In a game of few chances Thorns always looked the most likely to break the deadlock, but they had to wait until eight minutes from time to finally beat the visitors' keeper.

In a scrappy first half, Thorns' defence was rarely troubled but most of their own chances came from set pieces.

From a James Davies free-kick, Mark Viner out-jumped the Rockleaze keeper but his header was just too high.

Shortly after, the keeper pushed a Nathan Irwin shot away for a corner.

Five minutes before the break, Davies short free kick to Luke Franklin saw the youngster’s drive from 20 yards parried by the keeper who then saved again at the feet of Josh Pirie.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Nathan Sage going close with a header from Ross Irwin’s free-kick, but then 15 minutes from time Rockleaze spurned a great chance to take the lead when Theo Coombs somehow shot over the bar from six yards out.

Thorns almost made them pay immediately when Mitch Brealey went on a mazy run into the box before cutting the ball back to Viner, whose shot was scrambled away for a corner.

With time running out Franklin’s cross into the box from the left found Brealey, who threaded his shot through the Rangers defence, giving the keeper no chance.

Thorns will be hoping to keep their run going this Saturday when they travel to take on third-placed Frampton United, 3pm.