MALVERN Rangers lost ground in their McDonald's Worcester and District Football League Sunday Division Two promotion challenge with a 2-0 home defeat to town rivals Malvern Victoria.

With both teams evenly matched on paper, Vics started the first 15 minutes stronger.

The blustery conditions made it difficult for the players to get the ball down and play free-flowing football.

But, with hard work and determination from either side, they managed to put on a spectacle.

Vics took the lead on 35 minutes through Nick Lancett.

Rangers came out the stronger in the second-half with Vics under pressure for at least the first 25 minutes.

The hosts created numerous chances and were unlucky not to score but Vics settled again eventually and started to play football in patches.

With about 15 minutes left, they secured the three points through a goal from Jamie Harding.

Meanwhile, a Sunday Premier Division derby saw lowly Callow End hold Malvern Radar 2-2 at Victoria Park.

Colwall St James went down 4-0 at home to Perrywood.

A remarkable Division One match saw The Bell @ Pensax romp home 22-1 at Goodrest Juniors.

Joe Haskell netted six times, while Dan Westwood added another four, Charlie Philpott hit a hat-trick and Ryan Berry a brace.

It saw The Bell almost double their goal difference, which could prove crucial in their battle with Droitwich Spa Eagles for the title.

Eagles won 4-1 at Hallow Village to stay two points ahead but The Bell have a game in hand.

Hallow remain third after a 4-2 victory at Powick with goals from Kyon Evans, Shaq Tulloch, Craig Harris and Tyler Attwood.

The top-of-the-table clash in Division Two saw leaders Worcester Raiders win 4-3 at second-placed Claines.

Gary Jones cracked a hat-trick, including two penalties, for Raiders with Darren Palmer scoring twice for Claines.

The top-versus-bottom clash in Division Three went to form with Brewers Athletic smashing 12 past Cutnall Green without reply.

John Wade and Ben Harbourne both scored hat-tricks.

David Murray and Richard Millard both bagged a brace for GDL Athletic in their 5-5 draw with Colwall Village.

In Division Four, leaders Pillar of Salt Korono seem certain for promotion after a 3-0 win against Blackpole.

Whitehall currently occupy second spot after thrashing WCT Youth Raiders 9-1 when Louis Baker netted five times and Terry Gorman three.

Clifton Rovers are one point behind with three games in hand after demolishing The Bell @ St John's 10-0.

Despite a nine-point penalty for registration issues, Worcester Rileys can still get back into the Division Five promotion picture by winning their games in hand.

Shane Smith put them on the right road, netting all four goals as they beat Five Fathers 4-2.

In the Saturday Division, Stuart Harvey netted a hat-trick for Powick in their 4-0 victory at VBL Sports.

Elsewhere, the Worcester Nursing Saturday Junior Cup final will be between Arrow 2000 and WCT Raiders.

Tom Hobbs netted six times to take his tally for the season to 60 as WCT demolished Foregate 8-1.

In the other semi-final, Arrow beat Malvern Town Reserves 4-2 with two goals each for George Martin and Chris Cornes.

Heenans reached the final of the Nursing Sunday Junior Cup with Richard Smith firing a treble in their 5-3 win at Upton Snodsbury.

In the Minor Cup, Drakes Broughton Rangers’ Zac Blood scored twice in a 3-1 win over St John’s.

Daniel Monk did likewise as the University of Worcester won 3-1 at St Peters.

Meanwhile, Malvern Victoria are looking for sponsorship for next season and anyone interested can e-mail Cliff Gardiner at cliff.gardiner@aol.co.uk.