MALVERN Town were left to rue several missed opportunities as they went down 2-0 at home to Rothwell in Southern League Division One Midlands.

Due to an accident on the motorway, Rothwell arrived late at the ground.

Malvern lost the services of centre-back Andy Cartwright, who did not arrive at the game until half-time.

Rothwell took the lead in the eighth minute when Jonnie Brewers' quick free-kick was headed home by Andy Sturgess at the back post. This goal proved to be the only strike on goal from either side in the first-half.

The second-half saw Malvern start strongly and in the first couple of minutes should have equalised when Jamie Hyde raced through midfield and played the ball to Neil Gardiner, but his shot went straight to Tom Smith in the Rothwell goal.

Then a deflected shot by Hyde just cleared the bar as Malvern pressed.

Good work by substitute Darren Wade set up Rik Halion, whose shot just scraped the post.

Most of Malvern's second-half moves were prompted by the impressive Richard Tomkins, who is just returning to the side following an injury lay-off.

However, on 73 minutes a breakaway by the visitors resulted in a penalty being awarded after the referee adjudged that Ian Stevenson had brought down Ricky Miller.

Chris Defante stepped up and sent Craig Humphries the wrong way to slot the ball home.

Malvern's Ed Lyons then had a chance after being set up by Wade but once again shot straight at the 'keeper.

Wade headed wide and then Hyde missed a sitter as Malvern piled on the pressure to get back into the game.

Malvern hit the post following an injury-time goal-mouth scramble.

The defeat leaves Malvern 16th in the table, one place below local rivals Stourport Swifts.