MALVERN Town took another huge step towards the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division title following this comfortable victory at home to in-form and sixth-placed Market Drayton on Monday.

MALVERN TOWN 3, MARKET DRAYTON TOWN 0

In front a good-sized Bank Holiday crowd, Town secured an early lead when Phil Preedy set up Des Cox, whose excellent strike went off the far upright to give his side a fourth minute advantage.

Just two minutes later Town goalkeeper Dave Alden beat away Neil Gregory's sharp turn and shot, but after this little was seen of the visitors as an attacking force as Malvern sought to extend their advantage.

Phil Preedy worked a good opening for himself, but shot narrowly wide as did Dean Roberts, but an excellent Gary Smith free kick was met expertly by Roberts whose near post header secured Town's two goal advantage in the 33rd minute.

After the break Town comfortably resisted the efforts of the visitors and Rik Halion and Roberts came close to extending their lead.

Their best chance fell to Cox in the 77th minute, the Malvern striker, who had an outstanding game, beat the Drayton 'keeper to a through ball and, having rounded him, had the simple chance of tapping home, but incredibly the normally lethal Cox scooped his shot over the crossbar.

However, the points were secured just six minutes later when Lee Hooper broke down the right and his cross was turned into his own net by a Drayton defender, under pressure from Phil Preedy.

Town boss Neil Hunt said: "This was a decent performance, the pitch was bouncy and made it difficult at times, but we deserved the win and although we were missing Nathan Jukes and Andy Chalmers, plus one or two are still carrying knocks.

"There were some decent individual performances and I thought Adam Baldwin and Des Cox were outstanding."