MALVERN Town gave a below-par display as they were dumped out of the FA Vase second qualifying round by lower-ranked Castle Vale 3-1.

With manager Neil Hunt bed-ridden due to illness, the Midland Alliance high-fliers' play seemed to lack passion and drive.

Malvern's defence, lacking ex-Worcester and Evesham man Marc Burrow and Andy Chalmers, seemed to have no answer to Vale's lone striker Adam Smith.

Smith fired over twice and forced Craig Humphries to make two great saves from their Midland Combination Premier Division opponents.

Although Malvern tried to up their game, a Duncan Preedy header kicked off the line by Leash was the closest they came to scoring in the first-half.

Malvern started the second-half with an early goal when Nathan Jukes' free-kick was headed by Darren Bullock only to be parried by Leash and Rik Halion toe-poked home the rebound.

But it only took Castle Vale five minutes to hit back when centre-back King rose unchallenged to head home an Evans corner.

Malvern then started to get their wide players into the game and Phil Preedy was seeing more of the ball.

Half-chances fell to strikers Mark Owen and Mark Shepherd but were cleared off the line.

And, on 72 minutes, Kemp robbed Preedy on the half-way line before racing unchallenged to set up Smith who put Vale in front for the first time.

Malvern tried to get back into the game but the Vale defence stood firm and once again Malvern were lacking at the back when sub Wilson left Craig Williams for dead to make it 3-1.

This was a game Malvern will want to forget as they produced arguably their worst performance of the season.

n Malvern entertain Barnt Green Spartak tonight in the Worcestershire Senior Urn first round (7.45).