MALVERN Town turned in a disappointing display at Bustleholme in the Banks's Brewery League Premier Division on Saturday, going down 3-1 despite having taken the lead on 23 minutes when Raj Sharma's curling shot found the top corner of the home keeper's goal.

BUSTLEHOLME 3, MALVERN TOWN 1

But things turned sour for Malvern when they conceded two goals in the 39th and 43rd minutes and in doing so handed the initiative back to the mid-table home side.

Malvern were generally lacklustre throughout, but created the better of the opening chances and Steve Walker was particularly unlucky to see a 25 yard drive come back off the upright, but Sharma's strike followed soon after and appeared to put Town in the driving seat.

But not for the first time this season Town failed to clear their lines effectively from a corner and an unmarked home player was on hand to strike the ball home.

Bustleholme's second goal was a little controversial as the ball appeared to be controlled by a hand before it was fired beyond the helpless Ross Sanders in the Malvern goal.

In the second period Town deteriorated further and although Bustleholme never really posed a major threat, Town's sloppiness on the day led to a third and decisive goal in the 62nd minute.

Following the introductions of substitutes Paul Dugdale and Phil Slade Town improved marginally and Sharma was within a whisker of reducing the deficit from a Slade cross with just two minutes remaining, but overall Town got what they deserved and were glad to hear the final whistle.. but for the wrong reasons.

Town assistant manager Richard Anson said: "It was probably our worst performance of the season as we were poor right across the park.

"Even in defeat you can sometimes take something out of a game, but this was one of the days you just want to quickly forget."

Malvern Town: Sanders, Higgins, Damore, Cotterill, Sollis, Sharma, Ward(Dugdale), Walker, Phillpotts, Shepherd(Slade), Ashby.