MALVERN Town relinquished a 3-1 lead at home to Atherstone Town in the Buildbase FA Vase third round.

The Midland League visitors fought back to draw 3-3 in front of 360 fans at the HDanywhere Community Stadium on Saturday.

Harry Clark slotted home a 40th-minute Malvern opener but the Adders’ Nathan Haines glanced in a cross to level in first-half injury-time.

Malvern regained the lead two minutes after the break through Dave Reynolds.

In-form forward Matt Turner added a third on 70 minutes but a fine header from Joe Obi pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time.

And the equaliser arrived on 86 minutes through Kyle Baxter before a goalless period of extra-time resulted in a replay on Wednesday in Warwickshire.

“The result was tough to take seeing as we conceded two late goals,” admitted co-manager Dene Whittal-Williams.

“That said, over the 120 minutes a draw was fair.

“Both teams were very threatening.

“Having gone 3-1 up it is frustrating we didn’t go on to get the win, especially when on occasions our lads’ honesty was not rewarded.

“There was a foul on Milky (Turner) when one-on-one with the keeper and a trip on Ethan (Moran) inside the area that could have influenced the game hugely but instead of going to ground they tried their best to get a decent attempt on goal.

“That said, Atherstone’s attacking play was very good as we knew it would be and therefore I am very proud of the performance and the effort that the lads put in.

"We defended well in parts and we will grow from the experience.

“It was great to have such a great crowd watching the game yet again.

"It is turning into a real community here at the club with the familiar faces increasing all of the time.”

Forward Kyonn Evans said: “We played well in spells on Saturday.

"They got the better of us in terms of possession but in the end a draw was a fair result.

“I am really enjoying my football at the moment and to be part of a growing club is fantastic.

"I think more people are starting to pay attention to us now and that’s a credit to the work that is going on behind the scenes.

“There’s a real togetherness amongst everyone, not just between the players it’s everyone associated with the club and that makes match-days more enjoyable.”

Malvern: Whitcombe, Smith (Hayes 88), Wickett, A Sauntson, J Sauntson, Harris (Craven 46), Loader, Reynolds, Turner, Evans (Moran 90), Clark. Subs not used: Fusco, Griffiths, Hooper.

Meanwhile, a youthful Malvern reserves team secured a 6-3 victory at Fownhope to go top of the Herefordshire FA League Premier Division.

Elliot Cresswell levelled after an early Fownhope strike and then Ben Febery scored from 45 yards before Luke Meredith made it three.

Henry Dyde and Jack Cullity increased the lead to 5-1 by half-time.

Cresswell extended the advantage but Fownhope fought back with two goals.

Last week the second string lost 2-1 at home to Worcester City Reserves in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup quarter-finals.

Malvern's under 18s chalked up a 3-0 victory over Bromyard Town with goals from Eddie Whitton, Will Davies and Jack Almond on his debut.