EXPRESS '88 brought Premiers winning run to an end but were left regretting not taking all three points from a well contested match at Victoria Park between two local sides.

EXPRESS '88 FC 2, MALVERN PREMIERS 2

Express player/manager Phil Smalley made his first start of this season in goal with Stu Summers also making his first start after injury. It was the latter who made the breakthrough in a tight first half to head home Phil Leah's corner on the half hour to give Express a one goal lead at the half time break.

With not much to choose between the sides and Express going uphill in the second period it was the home side who started the brighter, Rich Clack's ball leaving the Prems offside trap for dead and Mark Taylor scoring from the accutist of angles to put Express two up.

Express then allowed Prems back into the game with Nick Kordas converting a penalty to make it 2-1. Prems levelled the match when a long ball found Kordas who beat his defender and again finished under the advancing keeper.

A frantic final ten minutes saw Phil Smalley make a vital point blank save and Mark Taylor hit the woodwork with a last minute penalty.

A 2-2 scoreline reflecting an evenly contested local derby, Express skipper Andy Bottomley getting the vote for man of the match.

This Sunday Express travel to Kays Athletico for a Bernard Finnegan Cup tie, Players meet at the Express 9.15am.

Malvern Premiers, sponsored by the Cross Keys, play away this Sunday against AFC Mazak in the Bernard Finnegan Cup, round two. Players are to meet 9.25am prompt at Victoria Park for 10.30am kick off.

Tonight (Friday) is the Express 88 FC fundraising night at the Express Inn, Cyber snail racing kicks off at 8pm, all players to attend and everyone welcome.