MALVERN Town consolidated their place at the top of the Midland Alliance table with a victory against an in-form Loughborough, who had won their previous five matches.

LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO 0, MALVERN TOWN 1

This was Malvern's tenth consecutive league win and they now have won 11 of their 12 league outings.

Defences were on top in this game and Marc Burrows and Nathan Jukes were dominant at the heart of the Malvern back four, stifling the threat of the lively Jones and Lawrence.

Shots at goal were few as the teams battled hard in midfield with some strong challenges being traded.

Malvern threatened when Rik Halion flashed a header wide from a Jukes' free-kick and Mark Shepherd headed over a Preedy cross.

Jones fired just over for the home side before Town goalkeeper Craig Humphries made a brilliant save from a Davis effort and a cross from Gaunt shaved the bar.

The game exploded in the 65th minute when an off-the-ball incident saw Lawrence being shown the red card but this resulted in a mass brawl, as players from both sides became involved.

Halion brought a good save from keeper Gowan before Malvern took the lead in the 82nd minute.

Town substitute Lee Tompkins, who had added width and pace, put in a good cross to Duncan Preedy, who powerfully headed home.

A minute later, Town were also reduced to ten men when Halion received a harsh-looking second yellow card. Malvern could have made the game safe when Darren Bullock released Mark Owen but he shot wide.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern welcome Oadby Town to Langland Stadium, kick-off 3pm.