Malvern Rangers 2, AFC Smethwick 2.

MALVERN Rangers shared the points with in-form AFC Smethwick but remain top of the West Midlands League Division Two.

Smethwick got off to a good start when Ricky Sandhu latched on to a long ball and raced between Malvern’s defence and keeper Ian Hill and slotted home after only six minutes.

It could well have been 2 -0 a minute later as Stuart Smith fired inches over the crossbar as Malvern struggled to deal with the route-one ball.

Influential midfielder Paul Edwards created a chance for Bryan Craven and the striker was denied by a superb save from Parminder Singh.

Malvern won a corner and Joe Endacott moved to meet the ball but was pushed over in the box. However, claims for a penalty were waved away by the referee.

Just before the interval a delicate header by Craven put Olly Endacott through on goal and once again Singh pulled off a cracking save.

The introduction of Rob Cullen worked in Rangers’ favour as he delivered a number of long throw-ins which caused all sorts of problems for the visiting defence.

His first contribution was to win a free-kick for Malvern and the delivery into the box was met and headed home by skipper Lee Hooper.

Two minutes later Hooper had another chance but blasted over the crossbar.

Three long throw-ins from Cullen saw two efforts come off the crossbar. Endacott was unlucky to see his speculative back-heel blocked on the line.

A rare second-half attack by the visitors was quashed as Joe Endacott put in a timely tackle, and Malvern went back on the offensive.

With 71 minutes played, Olly Endacott met and fired home a superb shot from just inside the box and Rangers took a deserved lead.

Unfortunately the lead was shortlived as Smethwick came straight back and a weak clearance by Hill saw the ball chested down and driven home by Shocara Hardip.

In the final few minutes, Ed Lyons had two chances to score the winner for Rangers and at the other end, Hill put in two tremendous saves to ensure a share of the points.

Tomorrow, Rangers host second-placed Leominster Town, (ko 3pm).

Malvern Rangers will battle Littleton in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup Final at Worcester City FC’s St George’s Lane ground on Wednesday (ko 7.30pm, extra-time and penalties to decide result if necessary).

Littleton, who play in Imosports Midland Combination Division One, will look to repeat their successes of seasons 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2006-07 when they beat Malvern Rangers, Bewdley Town and Tenbury United respectively. Rangers’ path to the Final saw them beat Perrywood (3-2), Broadway United (3-2) and Tenbury United (1-0).

Adult admission to the final is £2 and £1 for concessions.