MALVERN Town returned from Walsall Wood on Saturday, disappointed to have only picked up a single point in this Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture.

WALSALL WOOD 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

Despite always being more composed on the ball than their lowly opponents, Town could sometimes be accused of over playing, when a quicker more direct approach was always more likely to unlock a less than convincing home defence.

But when Town did press forward with purpose, they always looked likely to score.

Their first chance came on 15 minutes when Neil Mogford brushed aside a challenge to cross to the far post, where Chris Thomas's outstretched right foot just failed to make the contact needed to put Town in front.

Five minutes later Lee Hooper broke free, but his well struck shot was well save by Anthony Bullivant in the home goal.

In the 25th minute, Mogford and Ian Stevenson combined well and the latter's cross was headed narrowly wide by debutant Dean Roberts.

The home side did press on occasions, but most of their efforts were either speculative or came about from set pieces and rarely threatened Dave Alden in the Malvern goal.

In the second period, with the wind and slope behind them, Town continued to press and twice Thomas found himself free, but on both occasions failed to pick out the unmarked Hooper and Roberts, who were both well positioned.

But it was no surprise when the threatened goal eventually came. Hooper this time held the ball up superbly, before picking out Roberts, who showed his quality to round Bullivant and slot home.

Town almost extended their lead three minutes later when Thomas' cross was met by Mogford, whose powerful header was brilliantly saved by Bullivant.

But not for the first time this season, Town failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage and paid a high price for doing so.

Poor marking in defence, saw Wood midfielder Steve Jones break completely free of the Malvern back four and with only Alden to beat, finished well to earn his side a 78th minute equaliser.

Town boss Joey Rawle said: "It is very frustrating, it was obvious we were the better side, but we must finish teams off.

"However, Dean Roberts took his goal well and made a good all round contribution, I also thought Ian Stevenson played well in his first start in central midfield.

"But the goal we conceded was a poor one, especially after just going in front and is was really the only time Dave Alden was threatened."