MALVERN Town crashed to their first Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division defeat since the end of September, when they lost 2-1 at home to Wellington on Tuesday night.

MALVERN TOWN 1, WELLINGTON 2

Malvern totally dominated the game but paid the ultimate price for failing to convert the catalogue of chances they created.

In the first ten minutes, a header from Dean Roberts and a shot from Des Cox almost gave Town the lead and it was no surprise when Cox set up Roberts to fire past the Wellington goalkeeper after just 15 minutes.

Opportunity after opportunity, then followed for Town, as Nathan Owen fired wide when unmarked at the far post, Paul Edwards then broke clear but shot across the face of the goal.

Cox then superbly turned his marker on the halfway line and although the Town striker had a clear run on goal, he delayed his shot and the ball was cleared.

A Pete Roberts free kick was then superbly saved as was another effort from Rick Halion.

The second half started in a similar fashion and in the 49th minute, Cox again broke free and with the Wellington keeper failing to close the Town striker down, the crucial second goal seemed inevitable, but again Cox's shot was blocked. The rebound fell to Owen, who blazed wide of an open goal. Minutes later a deep cross from Dean Roberts came back off the underside of the bar and then Edwards fired tamely into the keeper's arms from close range.

Shortly after, Edwards broke free once more, but shot wide and then had appeals for penalty turned down when he appeared to be held back in the area.

After this the game changed and following three substitutions Wellington came more into the picture. Twice Town goalkeeper Dave Alden had to be alert to make saves from long distance efforts and Town were starting to rue those missed chances.

Poor Town defending then allowed the ball to be crossed into the box and Dave Cannon, under pressure from two Wellington forwards, turned the ball into his own net to give the visitors an 68th minute equaliser.

Worse was to follow, when in the 79th minute, poor marking allowed Wellington to break free on the right and the subsequent cross was gleefully converted to earn the visitors the unlikeliest of three points.

In the game's closing moments Town's frustration got the better of defender Dave Cannon as he was sent off for a bad tackle.