THIS first round Worcester Nursing Junior Cup tie was played at Victoria playing fields as Malvern Town's first team were at home in a league fixture.

MALVERN TOWN RES 0, MALVERN RANGERS 1 (aet)

The local derby encounter was unfortunately unable to flow with an over zealous referee intent on a stop start game which to say the least did not help either side.

After 16 minutes play following a right wing cross Chris Thomas struck the outside of the post. Just one minute later and Town captain John Rooney hit a shot goalwards after Ross Sanders had made an initial save and Mark White cleared the ball off the line.

On 25 minutes at the other end Steve Maitland hit over an excellent right wing cross to the far post which saw Mark Owen head wide when well placed.

In the opening minute of the second half Town's Eugene Amor attempted a chested back pass to keeper Ian Hunt, Chris Davis nipped in to put the ball into the back of the net but this was disallowed for offside. Just three minutes later a right wing cross to the far post saw Chris Davis miss out on his attempted header and the game went into extra time.

Just one minute into extra time and Rangers broke the deadlock. Steve Hodges floated a right sided free kick to the far post where both Mark Tipton and Chris Davis rose and it was Davis who scored to give Rangers the lead.

In the second period of extra time Rangers' Mark Taylor and Marc Lines combined, which saw the latter attempting to lob the Town keeper Ian Hunt, but he only succeeded in putting the ball into the keeper's hands.

The referee had the final say when he sent Town's captain Jon Rooney off for what was initially on innocuous challenge and for apparent verbals afterwards.

Rangers battled hard throughout and deserved their victory.

Man of the match was Steve Hodges.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers sponsored by Willie Thornes Snooker Club travel to Brintons at Kidderminster to play Chaddesley Corbett in a West Midlands League Division One South fixture and will be looking to avenge the 2-0 defeat on September 7. Players to meet at Brooklyn Motors 12.45pm, the Swan, Whittington 1pm for a 2.45pm kick off.