MALVERN Town made hard work of overcoming a relegation threatened, but spirited Dudley side at the Langland Stadium on Saturday.

MALVERN TOWN 2, DUDLEY TOWN 1

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Malvern created very little during the first period, with Dean Roberts and Rik Halion going closest to giving them the lead.

But despite Malvern not seriously threatening the Dudley goal, the visitors themselves failed to render a single shot on target during the opening 45 minutes.

After the break Malvern raised the tempo and it was no surprise when skipper Dean Roberts fired his side in front after 55 minutes.

Without ever really being at their best, Malvern continued to dominate proceedings and a powerful run and left foot drive from Roberts' secured his and his side's second goal in the 67th minute.

Malvern were now looking to extend their lead, but their progress was halted in the 76th minute, when Dudley's first corner of the game was only partially cleared, and the aptly named Rik Dudley, was on hand to poke the ball home from close range.

Although Dudley's goal set a few alarm bells ringing, Malvern held on comfortably to remain in third place in the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division, and with Tipton only drawing at home to lowly Ettingshall, Malvern are now closing in on second place and the possibility of putting further pressure on leaders and title favourites Westfields.

After the game Town boss Neil Hunt said: "We made hard work of it today, no doubt, but we were never really in serious trouble and it was just a question of getting the first goal.

"Having said that, it was a bit disappointing to concede a sloppy goal, which might have given Dudley half a chance of getting back into the game. But if you can win without ever really being at your best, then in some ways that has to be a good sign."