MALVERN Town played host to Ludlow Town in a mid-week fixture that was to be another stepping stone in Malvern's first season in the Midland Football Alliance.

MALVERN TOWN 3, LUDLOW TOWN 1

Back off holiday, last season's top goalscorer Dean Roberts looked fresh and opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Nick Clayton delivered a superb ball from the half way line into Roberts' path allowing him to power it home on the volley into the bottom left hand corner.

It was then a battle for both sides to get a grip of the game, however it was Ludlow's Joe Williams who equalised on 35 minutes with a left foot drive into the roof of the net after Malvern had failed to clear the ball.

The second half opened much the same with both sides trying to get the upper hand. It was only brilliant goal keeping from Adam Moss that denied Ludlow taking the lead

On 59 minutes Rick Halion scored the vital goal that got Malvern on their way by heading home a Phil Preedy corner.

Just four minutes later Malvern were in the driving seat when good work from Lee Hooper allowed Scott Morris to turn and volley home from 12 yards.

Little was seen of the Ludlow attack after this as the Malvern defence kept a tight rein to see the game out.

Malvern Town will be at home to much-fancied Stratford Town tomorrow (Saturday), kick off 3pm.