MALVERN Town maintained their West Midlands Premier Division title challenge with a 5-2 home success over Dudley Town.

The afternoon started brightly in the fourth minute when a Rik Halion shot cannoned back off the bar, but Scott Morris was on hand to volley home the rebound.

But Dudley responded two minutes later when a free kick on the edge of the box took a high deflection resulting in a looping header which came back off the crossbar, only for the loose ball to be volleyed home by Damian Coll.

Malvern regained the lead in the 31st minute. Nathan Jukes was the architect when his quick crossfield free kick expertly picked out Phil Preedy and the Town winger advanced into the box to firmly plant his shot past the 'keeper.

Deflection

But three minutes before the break a wicked deflection fell into the path of Keith McKenna who placed the ball beyond Town 'keeper Dave Alden.

The start of the second half saw Dudley threaten Alden's goal and Andy Chalmers rescued Malvern with a brilliant minute goaline clearance.

But Town responded when Morris' header was well held by the Dudley 'keeper, Dean Roberts saw a goalbound effort blocked whilst Des Cox saw a fierce drive hit the 'keeper's legs.

However, in the 59th minute in pursuit of a through ball Roberts collided with the Dudley 'keeper who injured himself.

Two minutes later the goalkeeper found himself in a one-on-one situation with Morris who slipped the ball past him and just as he was about to put the ball into an empty net, was upended by Dudley defender Derek Reid who was shown a red card. Jukes comfortably converted the resultant spot kick.

In the 65th minute, Preedy outpaced the visiting defence to finish superbly and Cox rose highest to head home Preedy's corner in the 73rd minute.

Malvern continued to create chances with Roberts, Cox and Preedy all going close, but in the end they had to be happy with the final outcome which perfectly sets up next Saturday's titanic clash with second-placed Tipton.

Tomorrow's League Cup semi-final second leg against Tividale has been postponed. The league's management committee will discuss tonight allegations that there was an irregularity in Tividale's team selection in the first leg.