INJURY-hit Malvern went down 21-19 at London Irish Wild Geese in National League Three South West.
The visitors were forced to field a youthful side in Sunbury and a solid start was spoiled when Irish opened the scoring through winger Matt Betty and stand-off Ed Keohane converted in the sixth minute.
Malvern’s bad luck in the injury department continued when Nick Miller received a nasty blow to his forehead and was taken to hospital for stitches.
The Wild Geese stretched their advantage in the 13th minute, centre Sean Cunningham crossing and Keohane again converting.
Malvern came back into the game and, from a line-out, emergency fly-half Ieuan Mustow recycled the ball quickly and James Southall burrowed over to score.
But the hosts continued to be put on the back foot and an error on the half-hour mark led to Irish number eight Darren Livett going over for Keohane to bag the extras.
The hosts were reduced to 14 men five minutes before the break when Irish skipper Sam McKinney was given a red card for an attempted head butt on Southall.
After the interval, Malvern piled on the pressure, using the extra man advantage and started to force a desperate Irish defence into conceding penalties.
Malvern went within two points through a converted penalty try but Irish managed to hang on for the win.
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