FOLLOWING last week's disappointing show against local rivals Malvern Town Reserves in the Evesham Hospital Cup, Rangers returned to league action at Victoria Park.

MALVERN RANGERS 1, ELLESMERE RANGERS 0

They entertained fourth-placed Ellesmere Rangers, the only side to date to have taken a point off league leaders Parkfield Leisure.

Rangers enjoyed the better of the first half with Sam Black forcing a save from keeper Mathew Jones in the 20th minute.

In the last few minutes of the half Rangers had chances to open the scoring but failed to find the net. Steve Walker had a long range shot after 42 minutes go wide of the post. One minute later Neil Bond's long-range shot was saved by keeper Jones and a further minute later, following one of the best moves of the half, Mark Taylor shot over the crossbar.

Eight minutes into the second half a Steve Walker free-kick was cleared to the edge of the box where Mark Taylor's good shot went over the bar.

Ellesmere then enjoyed a lot of possession until on 29 minutes Rangers scored what proved to be the match winning goal.

Martin Philpotts exploited space on the right and then crossed to the far post where Sam Black headed gleefully home.

The introduction of Simon Rea and Danny White for the final minutes gave fresh legs to the battle, which Ellesmere continued to contest to the final whistle.

The visitors thought they had equalised in the final minute when another good free-kick into the box was met by the commanding Rhys Adams, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

This victory gave Rangers a very good double over Ellesmere following their early season 3-1 win.

Man of the match was Steve Walker.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, travel to Chaddesley Corbett for a Division Two fixture, kick-off 1.45pm, players meet Brooklyn Motors 11.45am or Oak Apple at noon.