LES Jones was cock-a-hoop with his first win as Pershore Town boss three days after being denied by “the most blatant handball since Thierry Henry against Ireland”.

Town triumphed 4-0 over Continental Star in the Smedley Crooke Cup on Tuesday thanks to goals from Jake Churchill (2), Tom Leonard and Sam Clarke.

Churchill’s instinctive hit from 25 yards made the most of a hurried clearance from an overhit back pass in the first half with Pershore plundering three in nine second-half minutes to deal the deal.

The pick of the bunch was Churchill’s second, a 30-yard rocket that cannoned in off the underside of the bar.

That came in the wake of leading 2-0 and 3-2 in a 3-3 draw at Bilston Town Community on Saturday with controversy over the home side’s last-ditch leveller.

“They are from a lower league than us but we are delighted to keep a clean sheet and score four goals,” said Jones.

“We were extremely disappointed, we should have been four up at half-time having had some golden chances with the wind at our backs.

“We paid the price but it was double disappointment because their third goal involved the most blatant handball since Thierry Henry against Ireland.

“Still, it is onwards and upwards. We drew at the weekend and won in midweek so hopefully we will head into Saturday with a bit more confidence.”

Since Saturday, Coleshill Town have snapped up star striker Nick Seabourne..

"I am really pleased for him because he is a smashing lad," added Jones.

“When I managed Malvern we tried to sign him because we knew he would be a quality striker. We were delighted to get him here, even for a short period of time.

“Sometimes you just have to be happy for a player getting the chance to move up and we have retained his registration for this league so if anything changes, we can step in and get him back.”

On Saturday, Pershore return to West Midlands (Regional) League action against Cradley Town (3pm) with Wolverhampton Casuals the visitors on Tuesday in the League Cup (7.45).

Striker Ryan Pugh could be missing due to family commitments at the weekend with Jones hopeful of adding “one or two to bolster the squad” in the coming days.

On Thursday, November 15 Pershore Town hosts a charity match between different branches of Bristol Street Motors to raise funds for Children in Need (7.45).