TWO weeks ago Malvern Rangers travelled to Great Wyrley and suffered a comprehensive defeat against current league leaders Cresswell Wanderers.

MALVERN RANGERS 1, CRESSWELL WANDERERS 0

The return match at Victoria Park on Saturday proved to be a much more competitive West Midlands division two game.

There was few chances in a tight first half that generally had defences on top, although Rangers were being made to work hard.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half by Neil Bond from close range after what turned out to be a match-winning interchange of passes by Paul Edwards and Mark Taylor.

The remainder of the half continued in the vain of the first half with Rangers battling well to resist the Cresswell attacks.

Rangers, with only ten men after the sending off of Mark White after 55 minutes, gained a well deserved result that keeps them in third place in the table.

Rangers return to action on Saturday, January 8, when they are away to Kington Town Reserves (2.45) with training preceding this on Tuesday, January 4.