IT was the perfect late Christmas present for Malvern Town's co-manager Lee Hooper on Tuesday as his side beat rivals Worcester Raiders 3-2 to ensure they head into 2023 top of the Hellenic League Premier table.

Joe Bates' 90th minute penalty secured a dramatic victory in what was a thrilling game of football, played in front of a near 1000 supporters at Sixways Stadium.

Hooper admitted the three points was top of his Christmas list and Father Christmas did not disappoint.

"It was a great game for non-league football," a jubilant Hooper said at full-time.

"The crowd was fantastic and it was good to hear our big following, it was a great reception at the end.

"A great day all round for us, it was what I asked Santa for, three points, and that's what he brought.

"Bates stepping up and showing that composure in the 90th minute, for 3-2, was brilliant. I thought we deserved it on the whole. We restricted Raiders to a couple of shots.

"Isaac (Cooper) has buried one in the top corner from 25 yards, you cannot do much about that but on the flip side, we could have been more clinical.

"But we dominated the ball and think, overall, deserved the win."

The win puts Malvern three points clear of second placed Cribbs, although the Bristol-based outfit do have two games in hand.

But Town are applying the pressure and with Raiders falling away, it looks set for the top two to go and compete for the title.

The Hillsiders are back in action in the new year with a trip to Royal Wooton Bassett Town on Monday, January 2 (3PM KO).