LITTLE DRAYTON RANGERS 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

MALVERN Town turned in a dogged second half performance to hold on to a point after the team had been reduced to nine men just before half time when goalkeeper Adam Moss and midfielder Phil Slade were shown the red card for retaliation.

Moss retaliated after he had been unfairly challenged for a high ball by Neil Gregory, where he received a deep gash just above the eye, and during the ensuing melee involving the majority of players on both sides Slade retaliated after home striker Sean Ingram had thrown a punch at him. Gregory was also red-carded.

Malvern opened the game briskly and on 15 minutes Darren Tafft was presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Drayton keeper Roger Lewis miscued a clearance straight to his feet but he delayed his effort and Lewis recovered to save.

Malvern continued to dictate and Joe Maidment had a shot cleared off the line by full back Timmis.

On 19 minutes Malvern lost top goal-scorer Simon Judge due to an ankle injury after Richard Priest had clattered him from behind for the third time in quick succession. Judge was replaced by Darren Wade.

Malvern's continuous pressure was finally rewarded in the 25th minute when Steve Walker thundered a tremendous shot into the corner of the net past the helpless Lewis.

Torrential driving rain made the underfoot conditions slippery and the players were finding it difficult to keep on their feet. The swirling wind hampered any decent football but Town never looked in any danger.

On 40 minutes the sending off mayhem took place and everyone welcomed the half time whistle in order to calm things down.

Malvern reshaped for the second period with Darren Tafft donning the keeper's jersey and on a couple of occasions he did exceptionally well to keep out efforts from Luke Reynolds and Sean Ingram in quick succession.

Malvern were finding it hard going as Drayton piled on the pressure but with Micky Lowe, Adam Higgins and Rob Bastock working hard the home side weren't having it all their own way and on isolated breakaways the Town looked capable of adding to their score.

They should have done so in the 80th minute when a fine ball from Steve Walker picked out Nick Clayton but with only the keeper to beat he put the ball wide.

Just when it looked as if Malvern had held out for a memorable victory Drayton equalised in the 88th minute. A corner by Anthony Garrett, from the Town left, was only partially cleared and Ingram was on hand to beat Tafft just inside the post.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Town are at home to Tipton Town in a Banks's Brewery Premier League game. Kick off 3pm.