BRIERLEY HILL TOWN 2, MALVERN TOWN 3

MALVERN Town had to wait until deep into injury time before securing all three points from their visit to the Dell Stadium against Brierley Hill Town last Saturday.

After early pressure Malvern took the lead in the tenth minute when a half clearance from home keeper Adam King fell to the feet of Simon Brain who promptly found the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Malvern almost made it 0-2 when Brain provided a fine ball to the back post but Darren Tafft put his effort just wide of the post.

Brierley Hill equalised with their first attack in the 17th minute when Steve Harris threaded a ball through a slow visitors defence to the onrushing Craig Hancock. Ross Sanders got to the ball first but only succeeded in kicking the ball against the forward's legs and the loose ball fell to John James who had a simple tap in.

This goal pepped up the home side and in the 27th minute they had a great chance to take the lead when a cross from Adrian Rose was headed just over the bar by James.

Back came Malvern and they were so unlucky not to score when a ball in from Chris Thomas was superbly brought under control by Tafft and his first time shot looped over the outstretched hands of King only to cannon back off the crossbar to safety.

The start of the second period was messy with neither side taking control and we had to wait until the 71st minute for another goal. Tafft played a fine ball to Simon Judge who, although closely guarded by full back Peter Rose, produced a clinical finish to find the top corner of the net.

Malvern looked to have done enough at this stage but Brierley Hill had other ideas. With two minutes of normal time remaining they drew level for the second time when Luke Philpotts' first time shot was pushed out at full stretch by Ross Sanders diving to his right but the loose ball fell to Steve Harris who fired it into an empty net.

Deep into time added on Malvern stole the show with the best move of the match.

Sanders rolled the ball out for Mick Lowe to play it up the line for Chris Thomas who, in turn, played it to Simon Brain who threaded the ball through for John Wade to carry forward before executing a perfect lob over the head of the advancing King into an empty net and secure all three points to maintain a challenging position in the League table.

-Tuesday's report on page 71.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Town, sponsored by Clarke Roxburgh Insurance Brokers Limited, travel to oppose Northampton Spencer in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.

There will be a coach leaving Langland Stadium at noon. Some seats are still available at £3 on a first come first served basis.

Malvern will select from: Sanders, Lowe, Cotterill, Bastock, Higgins, Walker, Judge, Tafft, Brain, Thomas, Clayton, Maidment, Brookes, Cannon and Wade (J).