FOR the third game running, Radar were involved in a close game that was decided moments from the end, this time in their favour.

MALVERN RADAR 2, WORCESTER JUNIORS 1

With many players missing, Radar were down to the bare bones for this fixture and had to call up the experienced Nick Ball, who was making his first start for 16 months, at the heart of the defence

The home side were soon on the back foot as Juniors attacked well down both flanks. A slip-up in defence allowed the dangerous Jamie Lawrence an early opportunity, but he fluffed his shot, allowing Chris Ball to make a comfortable save. After 15 minutes, Juniors took the lead when they broke clear down the left wing. A great cross found Craig Blincoe at the far post who vollied back across goal and found the corner of the net.

Radar slowly picked up their game and began to compete, with left-back Duane Willis attacking well at every opportunity.

With half the team made up of defenders, some playing out of position, there was a reluctance to shoot when well-placed, which left the Juniors keeper with little to do.

Just before half-time, Radar thought they had got a penalty when James Curtis appeared to be brought down in the box, only for the referee to wave appeals away.

Radar started brightly in the second-half, with everyone committed to the cause. Chances were at a premium, although keeper Ball kept Radar in the game when he got low down to his right to keep out an effort from Lawrence.

Radar equalised when stand-in striker Darren Baker received the ball wide on the right. He cut in and much to everyone's surprise, crashed the ball into the roof of the net from a very acute angle.

Matt Brookes almost put Radar ahead when he thumped the ball high into the box from the left wing and it deceived the keeper to hit the top of the crossbar.

Time was running out and a draw was looking likely until the Juniors keeper picked up a back-pass a couple of yards from his goal line. To make matters worse, instead of holding onto the ball, he gave it to Darren Baker. He quickly tapped the ball to the onrushing James Curtis, who side-footed it into the corner of the net for the winner.

This was an excellent result for Radar, with Nick Ball the pick of the bunch. Radar have one game left, away to Martley on May 8.