MALVERN Town tasted their first Travel Factory Midland Alliance defeat of the season on Tuesday evening, but the scoreline flattered the home team as Malvern squandered several early chances.

STOURBRIDGE 3, MALVERN TOWN 0

It was Stourbridge who took the lead through Booth following a counter-attack on 25 minutes.

The second half started in similar vein as Des Cox bent the ball around the Stourbridge keeper only to see it hit the inside of the post and roll along the goal line and put out to safety for a corner.

Stourbridge doubled their lead with a controversial effort. With the initial shot being covered by Alden in the Malvern goal, the ball appeared to be deflected into the opposite corner with the struck player standing in an off-side position, but the referee waved protests aside.

With Malvern throwing everyone forward to try and get back into the game, Stourbridge caught them on the break with a killer third goal.

This was only the second time that Town had failed to score in the last 51 competitive matches.