MALVERN Town responded in the best possible way to Saturday's shock defeat at Walsall Wood by defeating Midlands Alliance outfit Halesowen Harriers 4-3 in the Midland Invitation Cup at Hales-owen last night.

Things looked bleak for Town when the ball was headed home to give Harriers a ninth minute lead. The equaliser came in the 35th minute when Nick Clayton's far post cross-shot went in.

Sharma set up Thomas who put Town in front in the 50th minute and then two minutes later Shepherd fired home a ferocious shot.

In the 60th minute Shepherd grabbed his second when he scored from close range.

Harriers pulled a goal back in the 65th minute.

Then in the 80th minute a swirling cross wrong footed the Town defence and a fierce drive put Harriers back in the game.

But in an anxious final ten minutes Town held firm.

Pershore Town were back on Midland Comb-ination Premier Division duty last night and won 2-1 against visitors Sutton Town to make it nine wins on the trot in the league.

Sutton's Frank Salmon had his marching ord-ers on 72 minutes for a second bookable offence and there were a total of 11 yellow cards.

Play was fairly even in the first half with a few missed chances either end.

Pershore took the lead in the 43rd minute. Simon Brain sent Nathan Owen clear, his cross was hit by Paul Jones onto the bar for Gary Mole to tap in in the rebound.

Sutton equalised in the 51st minute, Duncan Ferguson taking advantage of some sloppy defending to break through and drive home.

Pershore keeper Neil Turner was forced to pull off a great save to palm over a 40 yard free kick by Nathan Morgan and then another first class save stopped a Sean Merchant drive.

The winning goal was scored on 85 minutes, Paul Jones hitting a 30 yard drive just in side the upright.

Ludlow Town went to the top of the Banks's Brewery League Premier League with a 2-0 away win at Westfields last night.

Ashley Davies put Ludlow 1-0 up in the 25th minute when he side-stepped two challenges and curled the ball past a stranded Jon Pugh in the Westfields goal.

Westfields were back in the game in the second half and Mark Hubbard fired over the top and Andy Trottman headed goalwards only for the Ludlow keeper to save.

Then, against the run of play, Nicky Bounds made the points save for Ludlow in the 85th minute.