WITH five games cancelled because of the weather in British Gas Business Division One Midlands, Malvern Town must have wished that their game with the FA Cup heroes Chasetown had gone the same way.

The struggling Langland Stadium side were never in the match at the Scholars Ground and how they need a permanent manager to help arrest their dismal slump.

No wins in eight league games leave Malvern five points behind third from bottom Rothwell Town and, what is more worrying for them is that basement side Berk-hamsted Town have three games in hand on them with a six-point deficit.

With joint-caretaker managers Joe Rawle and Les Jones only in charge for their second game de-spite taking up the reins before the turn of the year.

Malvern had not played since New Year's Day when they let a two-goal lead slip at Cinderford Town to draw 2-2 and their rustiness showed when they fell behind in the 15th-minute.

Dean Perrow, who went on to score his third hat-trick of the season, ran on to a through ball from Nick Hawkins to fire home from close range.

Malvern managed to keep Chas-etown at bay for the remainder of the first-half but, in the second period, Nick Clayton brought Perrow down in the area and the Scholar got up to slam home the spot-kick in the 64th-minute.

Nine minutes later, Perrow completed his hat-trick when he was put through by Craig Holland and he steered the ball through the legs of Paul Wyatt.

Nathan Lamey scored 10 minutes from time when he headed home a Hawkins free-kick.