Malvern Town suffered a disappointing Express & Star League defeat at Darlaston on Saturday.

DARLASTON 3, MALVERN TOWN 1

Playing down the home side's notorious slope in the first half, Town went ahead on 25 minutes when Mark Tipton stabbed the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box.

During a half that Town dominated, Keith Holmans, Chris Thomas and Phil Slade all spurned further opportunities to extend Town's lead.

However, in the 44th minute, Dave Damore impeded a home player just inside the penalty area and Simon Archer converted the resulting penalty.

The second half saw Town still in control of things, but they were caught out when Archer broke the offside trap in the 65th minute to put his side in front. Keith Holmans was then sent off for Town.

After this, both Slade and Lee Hooper spurned excellent chances to level, but it was Darlaston who had the final, but controversial word, when they converted a third and decisive strike, despite the goalscorer being at least five yards offside.