STUDLEY are setting the early pace in Midland League Division One after pulling off their third win in four games with a 3-2 success over Stafford Town.

It looked as though Studley were strolling towards victory when they went 2-0 up in the 46th minute.

Josh Westwood had put Studley ahead in a dominant first half show and after Danny Dineen headed home a second immediately on resumption of second half exchanges, it looked as though the game was over as a contest.

But Stafford twice caught Studley out on the break, Jordan Dodd scoring from the first opportunity and then winning a penalty on the second, which was duly converted by Micah Reece.

Studley boss Keith Draper said: "With 20 minutes remaining, we're standing there thinking how on earth has this game got out of our grasp."

It was Aaron Westwood who sealed the points for Studley, coming off the bench to smash home a superb volley.

Draper added: "It goes without saying that Aaron thought he should have been starting, rather than sitting on the bench and I think he wanted to prove a point.

"It was a great volley, probably hit in anger, but he won us the game.

"The scoreline suggests it was a tight contest, but it wasn't. We dominated and I've told the players we have to be far more clinical in front of goal, especially against the better sides."

Studley's top of the table status will be put to the test over the Bank Holiday weekend when they entertain Leicester Road on Saturday before making the short trip to Cadbury's on Monday.

Draper will continue with his policy of rotating the squad with Gareth Evans, Will Tibbetts, Luckie Onslow, Craig Oldfield and his son Keith Draper, just some of the players in line to return.

The boss added: "The players know we've adopted a rotation policy this season. We're playing good football at the moment and I want other teams to realise they've got to work hard to beat us this season."