Malvern Town went two points clear at the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division, courtesy of a hard fought 2-1 win at home to neighbours Bromyard Town in front of a good crowd at the Langland Stadium last night.

Malvern made the early running with both Des Cox and the returning Luke Willetts both threatening the visitors goal.

But it was Bromyard who scored first when Rob Woodward's deft header from a Danny Hilditch free kick put his side in front after 15 minutes.

Malvern responded in the 21st minute when Willetts set up his strike partner Cox, who drove the ball home to equalise.

Malvern tended to hold the upper hand for the remainder of the half, with their best opportunity falling to Rik Halion, whose effort was well saved by Adie Hipkins.

The second period saw Bromyard start brightly, but without ever really threatening "marathon man" Dave Alden in the home goal.

At the other end an effort from Halion was wide of the mark, Scott Morris volleyed over and Cox headed over from an excellent Craig Williams cross.

But what proved to be the winning goal came in the 60th minute, when Bromyard failed to clear their lines and Malvern's leading scorer Morris saw his drive deflect off a visiting player and loop over Hipkins.

The rest of the second half became a niggly affair and Malvern's Adam Baldwin somewhat harshly received a second yellow card for an alleged late challenge.

Despite this, Luke Willetts almost extended the home side's lead when his deft chip in the 80th minute defeated Hipkins only to see the ball roll agonisingly wide of the far post.

Malvern's heart's were in their mouths in the 84th minute, when Alden misjudged a cross and the resultant loose ball was fired by Woodward against the underside of the bar before being scrambled clear.