MALVERN Town could not grab a deserved equaliser as they lost 3-2 at lowly Willenhall in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Willenhall started brightly and took the lead in the first minute when a right-wing cross was headed home by forward Jake Morgan.

But Malvern equalised in the 11th minute when Chris Allen’s corner was knocked down by Andy Fletcher for Ed Lyons to fire in from the edge of the area.

However, Willenhall went ahead again in the 26th minute as Morgan’s arm seemed to get the finishing touch to Luke Guy’s centre.

Malvern’s Lyons fired over early in the second period and Ricky Nicholls missed a sitter at the other end.

The visitors’ substitute Louis Loader directed the ball just wide and Lee Hooper saw keeper Matt Rodgers smother his free-kick.

Eight minutes from time despite Malvern’s secondhalf dominance, a defensive mix-up allowed Morgan to complete his hat-trick.

Oliver Endacott fired just wide but he was then pushed in the box and Fletcher put away the penalty.

But there was to be no equaliser for 12th-placed Malvern who host Dudley Sports today (3pm).