MALVERN Town returned from Brierley Hill on Saturday with a well deserved point after a 1-1 West Midlands League Premier Division draw.

BRIERLEY & HAGLEY 1, MALVERN TOWN 1

The opening exchanges saw Town call the tune with both Phil Slade and Keith Holmans going close with headers.

But it was the home side who took the lead on 25 minutes when a superb effort came back off the crossbar, but while Town breathed a sigh of relief, a Brierley player reacted quickest to drive the rebound past Dave Alden in the Malvern goal.

Alden came to Town's rescue moments later with an excellent save, but Town almost equalised in the 40th minute when an Adam Higgins' effort was scrambled off the line.

The second period saw Malvern have most of the possession but Brierley were always dangerous on the break.

Holmans twice went close to equalising for the Town, but they had to wait until the 81st minute for a deserved equaliser.

Ian Stevenson, who had another encouraging game since signing from Archdales, played a superb 60 yard pass into the path of 16 year old substitute Lee Hooper and the talented youngster waited for the ball to drop over his shoulder, before firing home to earn Town a point.