BEN Hayes opened his goal account for Malvern Town's first team with the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Bilston Town Community in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Sixth-placed Malvern threatened early on as Bryan Craven's eighth-minute free-kick was headed over by defender Dene Whittal-Williams.

Two minutes later, a corner was only cleared to Whittal-Williams and his pass found Hayes, who shot just wide.

In the 20th minute, another Craven free-kick was nodded off target by Reece King.

However, two minutes later, the mid-table hosts went ahead.

Malvern keeper Niall Hacking could only get his fingertips to Zac Marriott's right-wing cross and Mark Habbershaw tapped the loose ball into the net.

But the Bilston lead only lasted for three minutes as the ball was played from the left to an unmarked Hayes, who rounded keeper James Gettings and slotted home.

Matt Turner skipped past two defenders but was twice denied by Gettings in quick succession after getting clear in the 28th minute.

Hacking was called into action on 40 minutes when he tipped over Adam Hill's 35-yarder.

Turner headed over just before half-time following Sam Rathbone's run and cross.

The striker went close again four minutes into the second period but the ball bobbled and fell to the keeper.

Turner could not quite reach Hayes' ball across the goalmouth on 64 minutes.

The same player saw a shot tipped away by Gettings from a Rathbone cross and King's header was parried from the resulting corner.

Nick Turton fired over the bar for Bilston in the 74th minute.

Craven fired Turner's pass wide at the other end seven minutes later.

But Malvern nearly lost the game two minutes from time when the hosts' Habbershaw fired against the post.

The three points nearly went to the visitors close to full-time when King headed over Craven's cross.

Malvern host fourth-placed Ellesmere Rangers on Saturday in the league (3pm).