MALVERN Town completed a Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance double over Leamington with a superb 2-0 win on Tuesday evening.

LEAMINGTON 0, MALVERN TOWN 2

League leaders Malvern boosted their title hopes in front of a crowd of 370 with an inspired second-half display but were thankful to their goalkeeper Craig Humphries, who pulled off several outstanding saves throughout the game.

Town's Phil Preedy opened the scoring in the 48th minute when he powerfully finished a solo run down the left for his tenth league goal of the season.

Leading goalscorer Mark Owen grabbed the second with another powerful strike taking his league tally for the season to 21 goals.

Although Leamington created chances they just could not beat Humphries, who pulled-off one of the best reaction saves seen for some time when he twisted in mid-air to tip a fierce deflected shot over the crossbar in the second half.

ROMULUS 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

THESE two title contenders played out a dull Midland Alliance draw on Saturday with both teams using the long-ball tactics and packing the midfield.

Malvern had a dream start when Nathan Jukes' free-kick was turned-in by Richard Tomkins on eight minutes. Goalmouth incidents were at a minimum, although Seb Hamilton did have two decent chances for Romulus but twice missed the target.

Malvern should have doubled their advantage when Steve Lutz set up Mark Owen, but the striker missed the target from close range.

Malvern were made to regret that miss when on 37 minutes Tyrone Fagan was given time and space to turn and fire past Craig Humphries. Robinson had a chance to put the home side into the lead but fired wide when in a good position.

Malvern started the second-half well and Mark Shepherd's header was cleared off the line. Batchelor then fired over and Darren Bullock cleared Fagan's effort off the line.

The game then hit a dull patch and it was only in the last five minutes it livened up.

Harris kept out a Bullock free-kick and then Lee Tomkins, when set up by Shepherd, fired wide of the target with only the keeper to beat.

That miss nearly proved costly in the last minute but the home side's Daly also shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern Town will be looking to avenge a 1-0 away defeat when they entertain fifth-placed Coalville Town at Langland Stadium (3pm).

On Tuesday (March 21), holders Malvern Town play their Infirmary Senior Cup semi-final tie at Bromyard Town's Delahay Meadow (7.45pm).