MALVERN Town's Express and Star West Midlands League, Premier Division championship hopes received a setback after they went down 3-1 at home to fellow challengers Kington Town at the Langland Stadium last Saturday.

MALVERN TOWN 1, KINGTON TOWN 3

This result now sees third placed Kington five points behind Town with a game in hand and with second-placed Tipton also winning, Town's lead has been cut to one point.

In fairness the result slightly flattered the visitors who were very much on the back foot for the opening 30 minutes after Dean Roberts had given Town a fifth minute lead, but just before the interval, Kington's Carl Morgan equalised direct from a corner after Town goalkeeper Adam Moss had completely misjudged the flight of the ball.

Immediately after the break, with the Kington front two of Danny Hill and Mark Davis showing up well, the visitors looked a far more potent outfit and took the lead in the 53rd minute when Kevin Gwilliam secured their second goal.

After this, Malvern came to life again and put the visitors under considerable pressure, but at the same time did not create too many clear cut chances and rub salt into their wounds, Davis struck a third for Kington in the 89th minute.

Town boss Neil Hunt said: "It was a very disappointing result.

"We started really well in the first half an hour, but it was a big mistake by Adam (Moss) for their first goal which gave them a foothold in the game, as they hadn't really threatened up until then.

"It is a setback, but we are still top and we still have to play Kington away and Tipton home and away. Also, there are still another 20 league games to go and we are up there with a real shout.

"It does look like it is going to be a three-horse race, but we are one of those three," he said.