MALVERN Town held on for a draw at higher-graded Willenhall Town on Saturday in their FA Cup first round qualifying match.

WILLENHALL TOWN 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

Malvern clearly had the advantage in the first-half, limiting their opponents to long-range efforts.

Taking the game to their hosts, Malvern threatened first and Mark Owen tested goalkeeper Tipton before a slip by Khela allowed Owen to sprint clear and his perfect cross was headed home by Mark Shepperd from close range.

In a rare home attack the dangerous Campbell fired just wide but Malvern hit back when Phil Preedy released Owen but he drove his shot into the side netting.

Tipton then made a brilliant save to keep out a Darren Bullock free-kick.

At half-time, the Willenhall manager Rob Smith introduced midfielder Mark Swann and the move paid immediate dividends.

Town keeper Craig Humphries made a superb save to deny the outstanding Gary Hay but within a minute the striker muscled his way past three challenges and, as Humphries was drawn out, he slipped the ball inside for Swann to tap in the equaliser.

Malvern were forced to hold on as the home side started to dominate and Hay rattled the crossbar before heading over from six yards.

As Malvern tired, Campbell and Holland went close and Roberts cleared a Myers' effort off the line as Town held out for the draw.