MALVERN Town moved into the semi-final of the WFA Senior Urn after an extra time success against Alvechurch at the Langland Stadium on Tuesday night.

MALVERN TOWN 3, ALVECHURCH 1 (AET)

Town, who were missing several players through suspension, injury and work commitments, were grateful to recalled striker Andy Shepherd whose two brilliant extra time goals put Town through.

The first half was a dour affair but the game picked up after the break and it was Alvechurch who looked the likelier of the two sides to break the deadlock.

In the 54th minute only the inside of the post prevented them from opening the scoring, as did an excellent save from Dave Alden moments later. But in the 60th minute the threatened goal arrived as Town backed off and allowed an Alvechurch striker the time and space to pick his spot.

Town now changed tactics, taking off defender Dave Damore for teenage striker Lee Hooper, and Town now became far more of an attacking force, with a succession of corners and balls into the box that caused a number of heartstopping moments for the visitors.

In the 84th minute Hooper eventually put his team back on level terms when he stabbed home a loose ball from the edge of the six yard box.

Extra time saw Town very much in the ascendancy, but they had to thank Alden again when he saved brilliantly from an excellent strike.

In the 100th minute Shepherd struck, Ian Stevenson, who had an excellent game in the Town midfield, fired in a shot that was going well wide, but Shepherd reacted quickly to control the ball with his right foot, before firing an unstoppable left foot shot past the keeper.

In the 107th minute Shepherd fired against the crossbar, but the same player had the final word when he picked up a superb Mark Taylor pass and sent a right foot shot beyond the outstretched arms of the 'keeper, to secure Malvern a semi-final spot and raise hopes of a third successive final appearance.