MALVERN TOWN 2, DARLASTON TOWN 3

MALVERN Town's 11 match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday when third placed Darlaston Town were the visitors for a Bank's Brewery Premier League game.

Without the impressive midfield pair Joe Maidment and Nick Clayton, and newcomer Adam Ward suspended, Malvern didn't look at all disjointed. They took up the early running and took the lead in the 17th minute. Paul Ashby picked up the ball on the edge of the Darlaston 18 yard line before powering his way to goal where he beat visiting keeper Peter Dunnett with a clinical finish into the roof of the net.

Malvern continued to pile on the pressure and on 21 minutes should have increased their advantage when a free kick by Steve Walker sped across the face of the goal, but the lunging boot of Dene Whittal-Williams and then Paul Ashby failed to connect.

On the stroke of half-time Malvern saw another chance go begging when an Ashby effort rebounded off the foot of the post into the path of Rob Bastock 12 yards out, but with the goal at his mercy, he blasted his shot wide of the upright.

The second period got underway and within two minutes Darlaston drew level. A corner into the area was headed on by Adam Jauncey and Mick Lowe facing his own goal had the misfortune to head the ball into his own net with Ross Sanders stranded.

On 58 minutes Malvern's pressure paid off and they regained the lead when a short corner by Steve Walker to Luke Chadwick carved out an opening at the back post where Sean Cotterill ghosted through the visitors defence to side foot home.

Their joy was short lived however, because five minutes later it was 2-2. Slack marking in the Malvern defence allowed Chris Garrington to toe poke into the corner of the net.

Play became end to end after this with both sides going for the winner. Firstly Andy Shepherd had a fine header rebound off the post with Dunnett beaten and then a cross by Darren Wade was hooked over the bar by brother John.

On 76 minutes Darlaston went in front for the first time when a through ball from Dean Walters was pounced on by substitute Mark Groves and with the Town defence in disarray he found the corner of the net with ease.

Malvern tried hard to get back into the game and a last-gasp effort by the hard working Andy Shepherd was superbly gathered by Darlaston keeper Dunnett.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern travel to oppose another in-form side Tividale for a Bank's Brewery Premier league game. Kick-off 3pm.

Joe Maidment is still unavailable but manager Joe Rawle hopes to have Nick Clayton back from a rib injury and Adam Ward has completed a seven day suspension to join an otherwise unchanged squad.

Squad: Sanders, Lowe, Bastock, Walker, Whittal-Williams, Cotterill, Wade (D), Wade (J), Shepherd, Chadwick, Ashby, Williams, Dowling, Ward, Clayton and Cannon.