LEDBURY Town avenged an earlier 5-2 Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division defeat by local rivals Malvern Town with this narrow victory at New Street on Saturday.

LEDBURY TOWN 3, MALVERN TOWN 2

Des Cox put an injury-ravaged Malvern side ahead after only 15 minutes, with an excellent dipping volley, but Phil Preedy's strike from the edge of the box, just ten minutes later, evened things out.

A hand ball on the stroke of half time, allowed the home side to secure a 2-1 interval lead, Preedy worked an excellent opening for himself immediately after the break, to give his side some breathing space with a well taken goal.

A red card and an injury to Preedy gave Malvern some hope for optimism, but a poor challenge in the area on Cox went unpunished. Although the same player struck a well taken second goal with just a minute remaining, Malvern could not grab an equaliser.

HEATH HAYES 0, MALVERN TOWN 1

MALVERN Town maintained their hopes of a best ever top five Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division finish, with this deserved victory at Heath Hayes on Bank Holiday Monday.

Despite being without several key players through injury, Town soon took the game to their hosts and were denied a penalty as early as the third minute, when Des Cox appeared to be pulled back in the area, having escaped his marker.

Cox was a constant threat for Town and was denied by the home goalkeeper's legs in a one on one situation and the same fate befell Mark Taylor shortly afterwards.

Heath Hayes were by no means out of the game though and they also came close to taking the lead, when a shot was brilliantly tipped on to the crossbar by young Town keeper Steve Thomas.

The second period saw Malvern start brightly and they went in front in the 49th minute when Nathan Owen set up Mark Taylor, who fired home off the underside of the bar.

Town continued to press and might have added to their score, although Heath Hayes were always a threat from set pieces. With a Town back three of Andy Chalmers, Dave Cannon and Nick Clayton again in good form, and Thomas looking very assured in goal, Malvern held on comfortably for the three points.