A SCRAPPY affair, with four goals and three sendings-off, saw a below-par Malvern edge three points on Saturday.

MALVERN TOWN 3, CAUSEWAY UNITED 1

Causeway took the lead from the penalty spot, Malvern skipper Craig Williams penalised for impeding Chris Burley and Matt Hollis sending keeper Paul Wyatt the wrong way.

On the half hour Town responded. A quick free-kick was netted by Dean Roberts but ruled out as the referee ordered it taken again. Darren Bullock duly obliged and found the top right-hand corner, to the delight of a previously disappointed crowd.

Town enjoyed some luck three minutes later when a Des Cox obstruction on the Causeway keeper went unpunished and Roberts slotted home, a lead preserved thanks to a goal-line clearance by Clayton after Adam Chester rounded keeper Wyatt.

The first red was waved on 40 minutes, Darren Owen adjudged to have tripped Cox after the striker had got goalside of him, 30 yards out.

Town finished the half strongly and restarted in the same vein, let down by a combination of offsides and wayward shooting.

The team was reduced to ten men with a red card for Darren Bullock, the referee taking exception to a challenge. Town thought the decision harsh, as they did in the case of the first red for the Causeway player.

Now ten-a-side, Des Cox had chances courtesy of Duncan Preedy, Jukes and Phil Preedy but blasted over twice and had one shot blocked.

Simon Dixon had a great opportunity for Causeway, heading just over with the goal at his mercy.

There were also two chances for Matt Hollis as Town were guilty of sitting too deep and inviting trouble.

However, Causeway had to push up and paid the price as Phil Preedy found Cox just inside the box for 3-1.

Just before the final whistle, the game was marred further when Rich Tompkins and Causeway's Chris Busby got involved, the latter being dismissed.