MALVERN Town put their 5-0 defeat at West Midland League Premier Division leaders Lye behind them by beating Bromyard Town 3-1 to claim the local bragging rights.

Centre-back Joe Endacott turned in a true captain’s performance by bagging a brace of headers as the Langland Stadium side overcame their Herefordshire rivals in a composed win that made it three home victories in a row.

Les Jones’ side, now 15th in the table and one point behind Bromyard, will be looking to build on the triumph when they visit Smethwick Rangers tomorrow (3pm).

After a slow start with no clear chances for either side, Malvern took the lead from an eighth minute corner when Endacott rose the highest at the front post to direct an arrowed header into the top corner.

Dave Reynolds could have made it two within a minute but his effort was thwarted by Dan Joyner in the Bromyard goal.

But the second goal wasn’t long in coming as Endacott met a right-wing corner at the front post after Reynolds drew a smart save.

The captain’s header was helped in off the bar by a back-pedalling Bromyard defender.

Malvern’s scoring was completed on the stroke of half-time when Lee Hooper finished low into the bottom corner of the goal after being played in by Louis Loader.

The visitors pulled a goal back with the first attack of the second-half when a right-wing cut back was tucked away neatly.

However, it proved to be Bromyard’s only real clear-cut chance as the remainder of the game was played in the middle of the park and became increasingly scrappy with both sides giving away a number of fouls.

Despite Malvern pressing for much of the second period they couldn’t find the fourth goal their hardwork and pressure deserved.

Reynolds came closest with just over 10 minutes to go when his speculative curling left-foot shot clipped the top of the bar moments after Reece King had seen a strike deflected over.

Right-back Aaron Richards and the influential Loader both picked up knocks and could be doubtful for the weekend.