MALVERN Town suffered their first defeat in nearly three months when they slipped out of the West Midlands League premier division cup at a frost bound Ledbury on Wednesday night.

LEDBURY TOWN 2, MALVERN TOWN 0

In difficult conditions, it was the home side who acquitted themselves in the opening half, against a Town team who were guilty of sometimes overplaying in the midfield and defence.

However, clear cut chances were few and far between, although Malvern's Melvyn Watson was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Ledbury took the lead after 30 minutes when Malvern played the ball across their back four. Full back Chris Palmer then attempted a back pass to Watson which was woefully short and allowed the grateful Phil Preedy to nip in and touch the ball past the stranded Malvern keeper.

Malvern's situation was not helped just five minutes later, when Rik Halion was fouled by Mark Herbert on the edge of the Ledbury area, but despite the referee cautioning Herbert and awarding Malvern a free kick in a dangerous position, Halion retaliated and was shown a red card.

Down to ten men, Malvern re-organised for the second period, and despite Watson saving well from Robbie Colwell at the start of the half, the visitors went on to dominate.

Luke Willetts proved a constant threat, with a series of powerful runs and attempts on goal that deserved a better reward, whilst Des Cox twice, and Dean Roberts, both worked one on one positions, but their efforts narrowly missed the target.

Roberts was again unlucky to see a goal bound effort blocked on the line and a header from Cox suffered a similar fate.

But Malvern could not grab the equaliser their second half showing deserved and Ledbury scored again. A free kick in the 88th minute looked to be going wide but was deflected off the head of Craig Williams on the edge of the Malvern wall and looped into the opposite corner of Watson's goal.

This was the last of the serious action as Ledbury progressed to round three of the cup.