Malvern Town returned home from a long trip to Bashley with three points in the bag after a 2-1 victory.

The first team secured the win on Tuesday night at Bashley Road thanks to scores from Samson Hewett and Jack Watts, despite going behind early to an Eddie Hodge goal.

The match got off to a lively start, with Malvern's Josh Bishop showing off some clever footwork to avoid some potential danger and nearly setting Jordan Annear away.

<hr>

Read more: HFA Giantkillers Cup: Malvern Town U18 1-2 Inkberrow U18

<hr>

However, it was Bashley who took the initial lead with a goal by Hodge, who was played in by Luke Delaney before firing into the crossbar and beyond the reach of Bishop.

The home team's lead proved to be short-lived, as within five minutes Samson Hewitt hit a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box that bounced in off the post.

Minutes later Watts almost put the visitors ahead, but his first time finish was denied by an excellent save from the home team.

Adam Saunston defended resiliently, before Hewett forced Bashley goalkeeper Ross Casey into a save.

A poor clearance by the home team was retrieved by Delaney, who hit the woodwork with a curling effort from 20 yards.

Luke Payne next tried to find the back of the net from distance, only to have his shot saved by the busy Casey.

The deadlock was broken as half time approached, when Watts capitalised on the home side once again failing to clear their lines, lofting the ball over Casey and into the net.

The second half of the match saw another near goal as Watts was nearly let in by a slip-up by Bashley's defence.

Malvern kept their foot on the gas, with a Hewett free kick marginally curling over the woodwork.

Bashley showed some renewed vigour after the 60-minute mark, with a Payne clearance keeping the visitors ahead.

The hosts came closest to an equaliser in the 74th minute, when Josh Bertie's free-kick forced a save from Bishop.

The result sees Malvern, sitting in eighth place in Southern League Division One South, within two points of a play-off spot as the fixture list winds down.