IN what was a tremendous advert for football at this level, Malvern Town and Tividale shared six goals in a thrilling West Midlands League Premier Division encounter on Saturday.

TIVIDALE 3, MALVERN TOWN 3

After weathering a spell of early pressure, it was Town who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when the returning and talismatic Dean Roberts, lobbed a superb pass over a static home defence, which allowed Des Cox to compose himself, before firing home, past a helpless home goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, Town's lead did not last long, as a deep corner was only half cleared, which allowed Andy Price to fire home a Tividale equaliser in the 33rd minute.

Town though were not to be denied, and in the 44th minute Cox and Scott Morris combined superbly, to allow Morris to finish superbly and give his side a crucial half time lead.

Unfortunately for Town, just five minutes into the second period, a superb cross from the righ hand side, was met excellently by Luke Reynolds, whose powerful header gave Dave Alden in the visitors goal no chance.

A lack of concentration in the 72nd minute allowed Dean Roberts to spring the off side trap and finishly superbly to restore his side the advantage.

Despite Robert's excellent strike, Tividale were not done for, and Wayne Aston's 77th minute looping header once again secured a third equaliser for his side.

Town's Robert's might have had the final word, but his diving header from a Rik Halion cross was brilliantly tipped on to the crossbar by the home goalkeeper to earn his side a point, which, in hindsight, both these sides with championship ambitions might have settled for.