City's Women remained on top of the Midland Combination table with a hard-fought victory over their Shropshire opponents.

The three points leaves them two points ahead of both Coventry and West Brom but the Foxes also have a game in hand.

Last Sunday, the hosts' first real chance of the contest came when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk latched on to goalkeeper Laura Niblett's long ball forward, but her effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

At the other end, the visitors saw two of their early free-kicks parried away by Niblett.

But City picked up the pace and it was the turn of Harriet Crofts to shoot wide after some neat build-up play involving Leah Rawle, Kara Frederick and Sweetman-Kirk.

Back came the visitors, but some stout defending from Lou Ward and Jade Radburn kept them at bay.

The Foxes' passing game did begin to improve with Zira Handley and Sweetman-Kirk combining well on the right to set up Caz Toone, but she shot over the woodwork.

Niblett had to be on her toes to deny the Saints just before the interval and it remained goalless at half-time.

City came out all guns blazing after the break and eventually took the lead when Frederick scrambled home Toone's cross.

This strike settled City down and player of the game Sweetman-Kirk netted the goal of the match soon after when she beat several challenges from inside her own half before slotting home for her side's second.

The home side were given a few anxious moments when Niblett allowed a shot to go under her body as TNS reduced the deficit.

This spurred the Saints on and they had two successive corners but Niblett was equal to them and preserved City's advantage.

But City put the game beyond doubt late on when Sweetman-Kirk picked out Natasha Meade, who lobbed the advancing keeper to secure her side three hard-earned points.

Squad: Laura Niblett (C), Jade Radburn, Leah Rawle, Louise Ward, Sarah Fletcher, Kara Frederick, Zira Handley, Caz Toone, Harriet Crofts, Natasha Meade, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Nikki Webb.