MANAGER Paul Molloy was sent off as Malvern Town lost their FA Trophy preliminary round clash 3-1 at home to Didcot Town.

Molloy was unhappy after a collision between Malvern goalkeeper Lewis Skyers and Didcot's Matthew Bartley led to the visitors scoring a second.

Malvern started their challenge brightly and took the lead after eight minutes. The ball was played down field and Ed Lyons raced past a defender before slotting the ball under Michael Watkins.

Dan Harding-Hall was denied extending his side's lead by a good save from Watkins after 15 minutes.

Five minutes later Didcot had their best chance of the first-half to equalise when Ashley Vine headed wide from Matthew Bicknell's cross.

As the half drew to a close, Tony Farnsworth turned his defender and unleashed a tremendous shot which Watkins turned past the post.

Didcot were level on the hour when Lewis Skyers parried the ball from a corner for Richard Pearson to slot home.

Three minutes later Malvern almost gifted the visitors a second when the ball hit Simon Baker from a throw in and Skyers had to pull off a tremendous reaction save.

Didcot took the lead with 20 minutes left. Goalkeeper Skyers and Bartley collided and the ball fell to Jamie O'Connor on the edge of the area and he fired home.

Malvern boss Molloy was not happy with the incident and was sent from the bench for abuse.

The hosts continued to try and find their way back into the game but while they were pressing Didcot hit them on the break. Jack King struck the post and Bartley was on hand to head the third.