MALVERN Town picked up a valuable three points in this hard fought Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture at Willenhall-based Wolverhampton United on Saturday.

WOLVERHAMPTON UNITED 0, MALVERN TOWN 2

There were a number of good performances for Town, but star of the show was midfielder Grant Pinkney, who grabbed two goals on his Town debut.

Malvern had threatened to take the lead on a number of occasions, with Des Cox and Dean Roberts prominent in the majority of their best moments. It was Cox who eluded his marker in the 15th minute to set up Pinkney, who side footed home despite being under pressure from a home player.

The home side's sometimes abrasive approach led to tempers getting a little frayed, and Town lost their way slightly during the latter part of the first period and the home side should of equalised in the 36th minute, when a header in front of an empty net was somehow contrived to be placed over the bar.

The second period, after an untidy start, saw Town get back into their stride, and both Roberts and Cox had efforts cleared off the line and the increasingly influential Pinkney was denied by the home goalkeeper having sprung the offside trap.

Despite these opportunities, the home side might again have equalised in the 73rd minute, but this time Town keeper Melvyn Watson, pulled off brilliant save, tipping a goalbound header over the bar.

Watson's save was a defining moment, as just two minutes later Pinkney again sprang the offside trap, and this time coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to secure his side three valuable points.

Pinkney was denied a hat-trick when his excellent curling shot from the edge of the box was superbly turned around the post in the final minute.

It proved to be a good day all round for Town, with Westfields and Tipton dropping points and Kington and Little Drayton both suffering postponements, which enabled Town to make up some ground on the division's leading sides after playing just once in the last three weeks.

Town general manager Richard Anson said: "It was a good day at the office for us, and we desperately need to keep this run going."

Commenting on Pinkney, Anson continued: "He is quality player and we are very keen to hang on to him, we know he is still in discussion with Evesham about his future there, but with us having a lot to play for over the next few weeks, we would be delighted if Grant could commit himself to us, even if it only for the remaining two months of the season."