A SECOND-half comeback fell short for Malvern Town as they lost 3-2 at home to Dudley Sports in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

After going into the break three goals down, Les Jones’ side responded through Dave Reynolds and substitute Rob Cullen but could not convert another chance.

Malvern, playing with the sun in their eyes in the firsthalf after losing the toss, conceded on just four minutes when Jamie Thomas headed a cross past keeper Ian Hill.

The hosts could have levelled when Reynolds’ shot from an Oliver Endacott pass was blocked by defender Matthew Holloway with goalkeeper Samuel Pearson stranded.

However, Dudley made it 2-0 in the 15th minute when Matthew Hearsey curled the ball into the top right-hand corner from the edge of the box.

In the 20th minute, a Chris Allen corner was met by Malvern’s Tim Clarke but his header was cleared off the line by Mark Bache.

Clarke’s 28-yard shot was pushed over by Pearson before Endacott fired a good opportunity wide.

Dudley made Malvern pay a minute before half-time when a corner clipped Mark Gore and sailed over Hill’s head for the third goal.

Cullen joined the action eight minutes into the second period and made a quick impact by scoring with a header.

He then centred for Louis Loader, whose effort was off target, and Reynolds was denied by a diving Pearson save.

Malvern were on top but could not reduce the arrears further until five minutes from time when Reynolds nodded in Cullen’s cross.

In injury-time, they earned a corner but Lee Hooper shot just over to leave Malvern, who head to third-placed Lye Town tomorrow (3pm), 13th in the table.

  • Hanley Swan remain unbeaten in Cheltenham Association League Division Two after beating fellow high-fliers Churchdown Panthers.

The villagers are only kept off the top by Gala Wilton Reserves on goal difference.

Hanley showed their intent to attack in a strong start but were denied a goal early on when Mark Shepherd’s effort was ruled offside.

However, it was not long before Hanley opened the scoring when a surging run from Matt Atkinson put Panthers on the back foot and his simple ball to Shepherd saw him lob the keeper.

The hosts continued to press and were denied another goal before half-time when a diving header from Dan Briscoe was also ruled offside.

Hanley started the secondhalf knowing a second goal was needed.

After good work from James Beale on the left, Blake Bishop was unlucky when his curling effort hit the bar.

Following a period of good end-to-end football, Hanley finally got their second when Jon Palmer broke through and scored with a low driving shot to cap a good allround team display.

Hanley’s next game is at Cheltenham-based Newton in their league clash tomorrow (2pm).