A LAST-gasp spot-kick denied brave Malvern Town as they went down 3-2 to higher-ranked Walsall Wood in the FA Vase first qualifying round.

Watched by a crowd of 137, Town twice hit back from two goals down at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

But the late penalty ensured Midland League Premier Division side Wood made progress.

Malvern striker Bryan Craven had to withdraw with a leg injury before kick-off and was replaced by James Lush.

Wood took the lead but Joe Leighton levelled from a Sam Rathbone corner.

The visitors went ahead again before half-time only for Dave Reynolds to conjure up an 89th-minute equaliser.

Wood had been reduced to 10 men earlier for violent conduct but it did not stop them scoring their late winner from the penalty spot.

Third-placed Malvern followed their Vase exit up with an early blow at the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division.

They suffered their second home league defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss to county rivals Bewdley Town on Tuesday night.

They produced a lacklustre display until controversial decisions woke them up in the last 15 minutes.

Malvern keeper Niall Hacking pushed over a fifth-minute shot before Reece King’s header was held at the other end by Rob Dalloway.

Bewdley went ahead in the 29th minute when a corner missed everyone and fell for captain Rich Costello to head home.

In the second-half, King headed straight at the keeper before Bewdley went two up on 55 minutes through substitute Alex Kilgour from another corner.

A controversial third goal put Bewdley firmly in control.

Hacking appeared to scoop away a chipped effort from James Baldwin but the referee, who was about 20 yards away according to Town, ruled the ball had crossed the line.

Town were denied a penalty shout when Jake Holylee appeared to be felled by the keeper.

Ten minutes from time, Matt Turner pulled a goal back for Malvern from Dan Herbert’s pass.

King shot wide before Turner headed his second from Rathbone’s cross but there was no time for an equaliser.

For pictures, see this week's Malvern Gazette.

Meanwhile, Town’s under 18s lost 6-0 at home to Hereford United in the FA Youth Cup preliminary round.

The club’s women opened with a 3-0 win over Solihull thanks to goals from Mona Quinn, Kate Boulton and Nicky Gregg.