RANGERS' recent run of improved results continued on Saturday against sixth-placed Ludlow Town Reserves but only just.

MALVERN RANGERS 1, LUDLOW TOWN RES 1

The thawing of the overnight frost left the pitch very sticky especially down the middle and this coupled with a continued uneven surface meant that playing conditions were far from ideal.

It was Rangers that called the tune for the majority of the first half with Tim Clarke and Simon Rea very prominent in the centre of midfield and Ewan Castle making some good runs on the right.

The Rangers' defence was only breached on a couple of occasions and it seemed only a matter of time before Rangers took the lead although half time arrived goalless.

The opening ten minutes or so of the second half continued in much the same vein until Ludlow started to take over and look more and more dangerous although Sean Lynch and Mark White made a number of timely interceptions.

After 27 minutes Simon Barnett was played clear on the right and forced Dominic Leech into saving for a corner. From the resultant corner kick Simon Rea shot wide.

Almost immediately Ludlow went down the other end to open the scoring, Jamie Wear broke clear and crossed into the box where Adam Bowen picked his spot.

Rangers had a number of further scares before, with five minutes remaining, they salvaged a point. Substitute Jason Jones was fouled on the left and Steve Maitland's free kick into the box caused a melee from which Tim Clarke scrambled the ball home.

Rangers had a couple of opportunities in the final minutes to take all three points but overall a share of the spoils was probably a fair result.

Joint men of the match were Ewan Castle and Mark White.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by Willie Thornes Snooker Club, entertain league leaders Hinton in a West Midlands League Division One South fixture, kick off 2.15pm, players to meet at the ground 1.15pm.