MALVERN Town leaked more goals with a 5-4 home defeat to promoted Hereford Lads Club in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Having collapsed in the second half in a 6-2 loss at Ellesmere Rangers the previous weekend, the high-scoring defeat pushed Town down to ninth in the table.

Matt Turner bagged a hat-trick for Malvern and gave them the lead in the fifth minute when heading home Louis Loader's free-kick.

Lewis Platt scored a second eight minutes later after a fine cross-field pass by Turner.

Hereford hit back in the 31st minute when Matt Maturi fired home after a corner drifted over keeper Charlie Weaver and an initial effort rebounded off the bar.

Weaver saved well with his legs and Malvern increased their lead in the 41st minute when Kyonn Evans ran into the box and crossed for Turner to turn and fire into the net.

Three minutes later, Hereford played the ball down the left and crossed the ball but Harry Wickett sliced his clearance and it hit Dene Whittal-Williams before heading into the goal.

Weaver forced Kiea Cowley to fire wide as Malvern edged the first half 3-2 in front.

But it only took a few seconds in the second period for Hereford to equalise as the ball was played down the right and crossed for Danny Moon to score.

Four minutes later, they took the lead for the first time when a free-kick into the box was glanced home by Moon.

Hereford's Lewis Fletcher hit the bar from 30 yards out and then Moon fired over.

Malvern searched for an equaliser with Platt and Josh Weatherby combining for Loader to force a save from keeper Steven Bell and his follow-up effort was cleared in the 75th minute.

Platt weaved past two defenders but his attempt was put out for a corner.

A goalmouth scramble in the 84th minute saw Hereford secure a two-goal advantage with Cowley finishing the chance off.

Malvern hit back with Jamie Sauntson's 40-yarder pushed wide and then Turner bagged his hat-trick from Loader's cross.

But Hereford secured victory and moved within three points of their HDanywhere Community Stadium hosts in 10th place.

After a strong start to the season, Malvern have lost three of the last four league games.

They visit mid-table Smethwick on Saturday (3pm) and seventh-placed Bewdley Town next Tuesday (7.45pm).