MALVERN Town beat second-placed Wolverhampton Sporting Community 2-0 in a crucial West Midlands League Premier Division game.

Keeper Charlie Weaver kept Town in the match with some wonderful saves before late goals by Lewis Platt and Dave Reynolds secured the points.

The home side, who lost midfielder Nathan Hayward to injury in the warm-up, were under pressure early on when the ball was played into the box and Town’s defence failed to read the bounce but Stuart Hillman headed over.

On 11 minutes Town had their first attack when the ball was played towards Matt Turner but keeper James Gettings grabbed it just as the attacker stretched out for it.

Malvern were let off in the 17th minute after they allowed the ball to bounce again in their box and Demitri Dunkley fired straight at Weaver.

The pressure continued five minutes later when Weaver made a wonderful one-handed save from John Letford.

Town had their best chance on 32 minutes at the HDanywhere Community Stadium when a Louis Loader free-kick was heading for the bottom corner before Gettings pushed it away.

Wolverhampton hit back five minutes later when they played the ball through to Kyle Delaney who shot just wide.

Just before the break the ball was played down the right to Delaney who crossed the ball but nobody could get on the end of it.

The pressure continued at the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute a quick free-kick by Reynolds to Platt was shot just over the bar.

Eight minutes later a Wolverhampton corner was played out of the box and crossed back to Delaney who was completely unmarked but Weaver brought off a brilliant save.

Town decided to make two substitutions on 63 minutes, bringing on the experienced Lee Hooper and Bryan Craven.

Reynolds' shot was saved and then Hooper fired just wide from Loader's pass on 70 minutes before Weaver saved at the other end.

The hosts finally got the breakthrough in the 78th minute though when the ball was played down the right with Craven and Loader combining for Platt to volley home.

Malvern secured their third consecutive league win when three minutes into injury-time Craven played the ball to Platt and he supplied Reynolds to fire home, sealing the three points which closed the gap to Wolverhampton to just two.

Town, unbeaten in nine league matches, have three league games left this season, starting with home fixtures against AFC Bridgnorth on Saturday (3pm) and Wellington the following Wednesday (7.45pm).

They finish off at Ellesmere Rangers a week on Saturday (3pm).