MELBOURNE, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Australian supermarket operator Woolworths Ltd reported a 2.5 percent rise in second-quarter same-store food and liquor sales on Thursday and maintained earnings guidance for the year.

The result missed forecasts for a 2.8 percent rise, according to a Reuters survey of seven analysts, and compares with 3.9 percent growth in food and liquor sales at rival Wesfarmers via its Coles supermarkets.

Woolworths and Coles -- which together control over 70 percent of Australia's grocery sector -- have slashed the cost of basic items such as milk, bread and vegetables as they compete.

Woolworths shares reached a five-year high of A$32.06 earlier this week.

(Reporting by Miranda Maxwell; Editing by Richard Pullin) Keywords: WOOLWORTHS SALES/

(Miranda.Maxwell@thomsonreuters.com)(+613 9286 1464)

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