FORMER Worcester City favourite Mark Owen could not inspire Malvern Town to victory on his debut.

Owen played up front in last night's Midland Alliance game at Stratford Town which the visitors lost 1-0.

But Malvern enjoyed plenty of possession and dominated the second-half without carving Stratford open enough.

Mark Shepherd twice went close in the first-half, shooting wide on both occasions.

But Stratford took the lead on 30 minutes through Paul O'Brien following a save by the Malvern 'keeper.

Malvern did not quite gel as a team with several changes from Saturday's 3-1 victory over Chasetown, including the loss of the unavailable Mark Burrow.

But Owen, signed from Moor Green, did force the Stratford goalkeeper into a fine tip-over to preserve their advantage.