MALVERN Rangers travelled to Ledbury in the Smedley Crooke Cup and consider themselves somewhat unfortunate to lose.

LEDBURY TOWN 4, MALVERN RANGERS 2

After just six minutes Ledbury were awarded a free kick just outside the area, which Stuart Smith clinically despatched past Ross Sanders. On ten minutes Ledbury were awarded a penalty, which Robbie Colwell scored comfortably.

For at least the last 20 minutes of the half Rangers started to play some good football and two minutes before the interval they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Danny White. Neil Bond struck the spot-kick wide of the post.

Rangers had a very good second half and deservedly reduced the arrears on 30 minutes when Tim Clarke played Mark Taylor clear and he scored inside the post

Seven minutes later and it was 2-2. Mark Tipton's free kick into the box caused confusion and Paul Edwards was on hand to scramble the ball over the line.

Rangers had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line before in the last six minutes or so, a double by Lee Hooper saw the premier division side into the next round.

Firstly the ball broke kindly to him in the area to put Ledbury ahead and then in the final minutes, a right-sided cross saw him have a free header at the back post.

Man of the match was Tim Clarke.