A BELOW-PAR Malvern Town exited the FA Vase at the hands of lower-graded opponents who deserved their win.

MALVERN TOWN 1, CASTLE VALE 3

With manager Neil Hunt bedridden, Malvern's play seemed to lack passion and drive. A defence lacking Chalmers and Burrows seemed to have no answer to Vale's lone striker, Adam Smith, who had four gilt-edged chances to give the visitors the lead, firing over twice and forcing two great saves from Craig Humphries.

Although Malvern tried to up their game, a Duncan Preedy header kicked off the line was the closest they came to scoring in the first-half. At the other end, another Smith effort hit the post.

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

However, it only took Vale five minutes to equalise when centre-back King rose unchallenged to head home Evans' corner.

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

From some crosses, half-chances fell to Owen and Shepherd but were cleared off the line.

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

Malvern tried to get back in the game but the Vale defence stood firm and, once again, the lack of pace in the home side's defence showed when sub Wilson left Williams for dead to make it 3-1.

This is a game that Malvern will want to forget, arguably their worst performance of the season and they will need to bounce back against leaders Quorn away tomorrow (Saturday).

The reward for Castle Vale's is an away tie at Biddulph Victoria in the first round proper.