MALVERN TOWN 1, BURY TOWN 1.

MALVERN denied Bury a chance of securing the final play-off place in the Division One Midlands of the British Gas Business Division One Midlands with a draw in their final league match of the season.

Bury created the first chance in the 10th minute when a corner came in from the left, one player stepped over it but Roscoe Hipperson ballooned it over the bar.

Four minutes later Lee Smith 40-yard free kick went well wide.

The hosts’ first opportunity came in the 19th minute when the ball was played to the right and Andy Crowther crossed the ball into the area but Craig Malins could only chest it past the back post.

But the visitors took the lead in the 21st minute. The referee awarded a free- kick near the touchline about halfway in Malvern’s own half.

Bury quickly put the ball down in the wrong place and took a quick free-kick over to the right and it was crossed into the box where Russell Short was unmarked.

He rifled the ball home, although Craig Humphries got a touch to it he couldn’t keep it out.

Bury tried hard to increase their lead and Humphries was called upon to save his side on more than one occasion.

In the 51st minute Bury had a goal disallowed when from a corner Sam Reed shot was heading towards goal and, despite a suspicion of offside, Lee Smith fired the ball into the net.

From another corner played to the backpost Crowther cleared off the line.

Humphries brought off two more good saves in the 63rd and 65th minute and this gave Malvern hope.

Dave Reynold’s free-kick went just wide.

In the 78 minute Darren Critcher threw the ball into the area it was headed on to Dane Aldington who headed home from 10 yards.