AN unlikely screamer from right-back Luke Payne was the highlight of what proved to be a routine victory for league leaders Malvern Town at home to bottom of the table Thornbury Town on Saturday.

Malvern's clash with the basement-boys in the Hellenic Premier proved to be one of very few non-league matches to survive the sub-zero temperatures that postponed the majority of matches across the country.

But despite the chill, The Hillsiders rattled in four goals, including Payne's weak-foot beauty, to move themselves three points clear at the top of the table, despite having played two games more than second-placed Cribbs.

Payne's stunner a long with Lewis Spurrier's opener and Adam Sauntson's header made it 3-0 at the break before Joe Bullock added a fourth in the second-half to secure a comfortable three points, despite conceding a late consolation from Thornbury's Jack Smith.

It was always likely to be a big ask of the visitors to get much out of the game and so it proved as they found themselves behind after just 12 minutes when Spurrier's low shot went under keeper Mackenzie Welsh and into the net.

The hosts rarely needed to get out of second gear and when Payne curled a stunning 30-yard left-footed strike into the top corner, Malvern were in cruise control.

The Hillsiders were not at full throttle but still could have made it 3-0 later in the first half but Mackenzie did well to block Dale's goal-bound strike out for a corner.

Skipper Lewis Platt should of perhaps done better in his attempts to get that third but his bobbled volley tricked wide of the post.

Despite spending the majority of the first-half without the ball, Thornbury did enjoy an extended spell of possession before the break and it took an Adam Sauntson clearance off the line to keep them from pulling one back.

But any hopes of a comeback were squashed on the stroke of the referees whistle as Dale's diving headers came off the underside of the bar and Sauntson headed home on the rebound to make it 3-0.

It was a pretty uneventful start to the second-half as fouls and substitutes slowed the tempo.

Dale did have the best chance after around 65 minutes when he broke clear before cutting back on his right foot and seeing his shot saved by Mackenzie.

The deadlock was finally broken 60 second later though as replacement Ben Hayes cut the ball back to Bullock and the midfielder could not miss from a matter of yards to make it 4-0.

The visitors did get a consolation which their second-half performance probably deserved and it was a lovely strike from sub Jack Smith to cut back onto his left foot and slot home low into the bottom corner past Keiron Blackburn.

It ended up being a sour note to end the afternoon but nothing more as Malvern went three points clear at the top of the table.