MALVERN Town moved to within two points of Midland Alliance leaders Quorn with four games in hand after an eight-goal thriller played in pouring rain on the league's best playing surface.

QUORN 3, MALVERN TOWN 5

Malvern started slowly and the home side's Turner went close early on before rising to head home Beazley's cross on ten minutes. Malvern retaliated and Lee Tompkins' cross slid through Shepherd's legs. Malvern kept up the pressure and Mark Owen and Phil Preedy both went close.

Malvern got a deserved equaliser on 19 minutes when Owen's through ball was handled by Goodwin and Darren Bullock smashed home the penalty.

Malvern were now dictating the play and Bullock and Owen both had good chances to increase Malvern's lead. Malvern then stunned the home side with three goals in five minutes.

On 38 minutes, Mark Shepherd attacked down the right flank, holding off three challenges before passing to Owen to score from close in. One minute later, a Bullock defence-splitting ball saw Owen give the keeper no chance, driving home from 12 yards.

On 42 minutes, Owen was once again involved, laying off the ball to Phil Preedy to beat Nurse with a crisp low drive from 18 yards.

Malvern slipped-up just before half-time and Quorn centre-back Goodwin rose unchallenged to head in from a Brennan corner.

Quorn came out blazing at the start of the second-half, forcing numerous corners and putting Malvern under immense pressure. Craig Humphries saved brilliantly on two occasions, first tipping over Turner's shot before getting a hand on Brennan's free-kick and pushing the ball against the post.

But he was left helpless on 75 minutes when Brennan's cross was headed home by Kris Nurse.

Malvern weathered the storm and Bullock twice went close and Shepherd and Owen also had good efforts.

Malvern sealed their victory following a mazey 40-yard run by Lee Tompkins, who squared the ball back for Shepherd to score with an exquisite chip over the keeper.

Town's midweek game was postponed due to Oldbury playing in the Birmingham Cup.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern welcome basement-side Rocester to Langland Stadium. Kick-off 3pm.