MANAGER Les Jones hailed the “tremendous character” of his players after Malvern Town overcame a double setback to claim a dramatic 2-1 win over Shifnal Town.

Debutant Matt Pinder was the hero on Wednesday with a last-gasp winner at the HDanywhere Community Stadium to send Town into the West Midlands Premier Division League Cup quarter-finals.

Malvern’s chances of reaching the next round suffered a blow on 30 minutes when full-back Phil Harris had to go in between the sticks after goalkeeper Chas Weaver was involved in a nasty collision.

And the hosts’ task became even greater just after the break when Shifnal took the lead.

But Jones was delighted with the reaction of his team as Nathan Hayward equalised from the penalty spot on 62 minutes before striker Pinder, who has joined from Stourport Swifts, netted in injury-time.

“The fact we lost our goalkeeper after about 30 minutes and then went behind meant it was a doubly good win for us,” he said.

“The lads showed tremendous character to respond to those setbacks.

“Shifnal are eighth in the league as well so it wasn’t like we were playing one of the bottom three or four sides. It was a really good performance.”

Malvern will travel to Wolverhampton Sporting Community in the last eight.

“It means a lot to all of us to get through as we believe we should be competing to win things so it’s a step in the right direction,” Jones said.

Weaver is a doubt at home to second-from-bottom Dudley Sports tomorrow (3pm) due to cuts to his face and possible concussion.

But Jones said he was willing to turn to reserves keeper Josh King if Weaver did not recover in time.

“Josh is a good young goalkeeper,” he said.

“We are waiting to hear back from Chas as he has been in hospital but if he was knocked out then he will be out for two weeks.”

Fourth-placed Malvern are on a run of three successive wins but Jones insists they will need to be on “top form” to beat struggling Dudley.

He added: “We were 2-0 up against them and drew 2-2 (in September) and last season lost at home to them.

“They might be struggling at the moment but it is always tough against them.

“We have got to be on top form to get a result and it is a must-win for us.”

The reserves have no game this weekend after losing 4-1 at leaders Telford Juniors in Division Two on Saturday.