RANGERS travelled to Walsall on Tuesday evening and lost their fourth consecutive league match, although again, as in the previous two games, gave a fairly good account of themselves.

WALSALL WOOD 2, MALVERN RANGERS 1

The most alarming statistic is that they had two players, keeper Mark Davis and Ollie Endacott, requiring hospital treatment, which will keep them out of action for some time.

After a competitive first half-hour in which Walsall enjoyed more of the territorial advantage whilst Rangers competed quite well, the game swung in the home side's favour with what can only be described as a strange goal.

After a tangle between Mike Cole and a home player, the ball was dropped by the referee to the Walsall player under the instruction to play it back to Rangers. The player hit the ball infield where it hit Mark Owen. Walsall gained possession, Owen had to make a challenge with the ball going into touch. From the resultant throw, Anthony Fellows had a clear run-in on goal to score despite Rangers' appeals.

Five minutes later, easily Rangers' best move of the half almost brought an equaliser. Mike Cole played the ball wide to Ollie Endacott, who squared it across the area where Rob Cullen shot wide of the far post.

Five minutes into the second-half, a move involving Rob Cullen, Mike Cole and then an excellent ball by Paul Edwards set up Ollie Endacott, who also shot wide.

Within three minutes it was 2-0. A misunderstanding between Tim Clarke and Steve Maitland saw Anthony Fellows racing clear of the Rangers' defence to score.

The game was held up for some five minutes midway through the half as the referee and his assistant were apparently being abused by a dozen-plus teenagers in the stand. The police were called and they soon disappeared.

Rangers clawed their way back into the game after 27 minutes when, from a Rob Cullen right side corner, the ball eventually fell to Mike Cole who scored with a half-volley into the corner.

With 14 minutes remaining, a dire challenge on keeper Mark Davis resulted in his having to leave the field for a hospital visit, which showed ligament and muscle damage. The guilty home player was only yellow-carded which resulted in Rangers having two players also cautioned for protesting.

With just four minutes remaining, Ollie Endacott chased a long through-ball, headed it over the keeper, who clattered into him and was sent off. The game was held up for over 30 minutes awaiting the arrival of a paramedic and then the ambulance. The unfortunate diagnosis for Ollie Endacott being a fractured collar bone and muscle damage.

When the game was eventually restarted for the final four minutes, Rangers wasted the free- kick situation and they were just glad to hear the final whistle.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, entertain local Worcester League rivals Powick in the second round of the WFA Junior Cup at Victoria Park, kick-off 2pm, players to meet at the ground 12.45pm.