MALVERN Town returned from Tipton on Saturday with a well-earned point in the Express and Star League Premier Division.

TIPTON TOWN 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

In a game played on a partly frozen surface , few chances were created by either side, but it was Town who might have claimed all three points when, with just eight minutes remaining, Chris Thomas crossed for Neil Mogford, and despite the young striker having all the goal to aim at, he blazed the ball high over the bar, much to the relief of the home side.

Earlier, it was Town who drew first blood when sixteen year old striker Lee Hooper escaped his marker to fire Malvern in front in the 24th minute, but just ten minutes later the home side equalised when the dangerous Brendon Pugh capitalised on a poor clearance to execute a well taken goal.

After this chances were at a premium, with Thomas providing Malvern's greatest threat, although the hard working Ian Stevenson when close on two occasions.

Town general manager Richard Anson said: "We played quite well and the surface wasn' t easy, but Neil (Mogford) will be kicking himself for missing a sitter in the last few minutes, but as long as he keeps getting into the right positions he will soon make up for it."