FORMER Worcester City favourite Darren Bullock pulled on a Pershore Town shirt last Saturday but failed to save the Midland Combination Premier Division strugglers from a 6-1 hammering at Highgate.

However, things improved considerably today for Bullock and several of his former team-mates at Malvern Town as Neil Hunt's side defeated Feckenham 3-1.

Goals from Dave Cannon and Scott Morris gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with only 21 minutes on the watch and a third goal appeared likely when Billy Davis raced clear five minutes later. Feckenham 'keeper Richard Layton, though, dragged down the marauding attacker to earn a red card but replacement goalkeeper Lee Ross saved Des Cox's weak spot-kick.

Jonathan Atkinson halved the arrears 10 minutes before the break but Pershore took a two-goal cushion into half-time when Mark Goodman slotted the ball past Ross after Cox had raced clear.

Atkinson missed a great chance to make it 3-2 early in the second-half when Town had numerous chances to seal the win with Goodman and Tim Beattie the chief culprits.

Jamie Lambert produced a fine diving stop two minutes from time but Pershore's hopes of avoiding the drop were given a festive boost.