MALVERN Town’s 1-1 West Midlands League Premier Division home draw with Dudley Sports produced two contrasting halves.

The hosts completely dominated the first with Oliver Endacott firing just wide before he ran down the left and provided the cross for Lee Hooper to head in the 25th-minute opener.

Hooper’s 35-yard free-kick was tipped over by keeper Samuel Pearson before a corner hit Mark Brookes at the back post and narrowly missed the target.

Pearson was again forced into acrobatics to deny Endacott as Malvern went close to adding to their tally.

They started the second period brightly and Hooper just failed to score after more good work by Endacott.

But the miss proved to be the turning point as Sports earned a corner and keeper Ian Hill could only help Craig Stevens’ curling flag-kick into the net at the near post.

The equaliser raised Sports’ hopes and they dominated the rest of the play only to be denied by a solid Malvern defence.

At the other end, Robert Cullen fired wide late on but a draw was a fair result.

Malvern Town then lost 2-1 at home to table-toppers Gornal Athletic in mid-week ahead of tomorrow’s game with Stafford Town at the Langland Stadium (3pm) and next Tuesday’s visit to basement boys Darlaston Town (7.45pm). Malvern’s Ryan Barry scored a late consolation.

􀁧 Bromyard Town go to Shifnal Town on Saturday (3pm) after following up a 0-0 draw at fellow strugglers Bustleholme with a 6-2 home loss to Dudley Town.