MALVERN Town made an impressive start in the Southern League Division One Midlands twice coming from behind to earn a deserved first point.

MALVERN TOWN 2, LEIGHTON TOWN 2

In an entertaining game, Malvern started strongly with Phil Preedy hitting the bar, captain Wes Joyce's free-kick just clearing the bar and Dean Roberts just failing to get onto a Duncan Preedy cross.

But it was the visitors who took the lead when Dan Finnegan's mis-timed tackle on Cunningham resulted in a penalty award which Gordon coolly slotted home.

The impressive Andy Jones then had a superb header disallowed as Malvern went in search of an equaliser. That came on 25 minutes when Joyce's through ball to Roberts saw the striker round the keeper and screw the ball back to former Worcester City winger Jamie Hyde to net from 12 yards.

Town goalkeeper Craig Humphries then saved brilliantly from Lewis but was powerless to stop the on-loan Stevenage striker putting the visitors 2-1 up.

Malvern had much the better second-half with Joyce and Jones outstanding at the back. Duncan Preedy, twice, and Neil Gardiner got on the end of Roberts' passes but goalkeeper Clarke dealt comfortably with the shots.

Lee Tomkins and Tom Coley came on as substitutes for Malvern and both did well. It was Coley's cross which found Phil Preedy unmarked at the far post, who volleyed home the second equaliser.

Malvern went for the winner and it was Clarke's finger tips which kept out Joyce's free-kick.