ALL the tensions of a local derby will be felt at Langland Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) as Malvern Town battle for bragging rights with Ledbury Town in both club's latest pre-season friendly.

With just two weeks until the big kick-off neither side will want to lose.

Join sports editor Mark Stanford from 2pm for all of the pre-match build-up and live game coverage.

LIVE!- Malvern Town v Ledbury Town.

5.30PM: MATCH REPORT: MALVERN TOWN 1, LEDBURY TOWN 0.

MALVERN maintained their improving pre-season form with a narrow 1-0 win over local rivals Ledbury Town despite a bizarre first-half exit from defender Rik Halion.

A low drive from Darren Andrews just a minute into the second period was enough to secure bragging rights in this local derby as the home side dominated at Langland Stadium but failed to make sure their pressure was further rewarded.

But a bizarre scene in the 41st minute saw Halion walk off the pitch after an altercation with a Ledbury player. The fiery centre-back thought the referee was going to send him off after he had earlier received a final warning from the official after some robust challenges throught the first-half.

Unfortunately for Halion his red card failed to materialise and he could play no further part in the contest after he had removed himself from the field.

It was also Malvern's third clean sheet in a row after previous shut-outs against Gloucester City and Continental Star and further proof they have tightened up at the back after suffering a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Evesham two weeks earlier.

The first-half had passed by with very little goalmouth action as the tackles flew in from both sides in midfield. The first chance of note fell to Malvern's Danny James in the 34th minute as he saw his tame header cleared off Ledbury's line by the defender on the post. The game was goalless at the interval.

After what proved to be the only goal of the game just after the break, the rest of the second-half was a virtual non-event as both sides made numerous substitutions. The closest either side came to a goal was on 55 minutes when Malvern's Danny James saw his shot deflect off a Ledbury defender and hit the crossbar.

In what could prove to be an early contender for miss of the season, Malvern youngster Harris put the ball over from two yards out at the far post after a teasing, low cross from Chris Allen on 66 minutes.

A late Ledbury rally saw sub Paul Preedy have two efforts saved by keeper Craig Humphries as the game peetered out.

4.46pm- FULL-TIME-: Malvern Town 1-0 Ledbury Town.

After the game had peetered out in the second period, Malvern win.

4.40pm- Ledbury pile on the pressure in the Malvern half late on but fail to worry the home side's back line too much.

4.37pm- In a flat period of the game, Malvern's sub Critcher has a log range shot which goes wide. Ledbury are starting to penetrate after a long shot-shy spell. Ledbury's sub Paul Preedy has a shot saved easily on 81 mins. Malvern's Chris Allen has a loping chance which the Ledbury keeper sneaks over his crossbar in the same minute.

4.14pm- On 58 mins Malvern make a double substitution, McGoran and Critcher (two youngsters) come on. Malvern are rampant now.

4.11pm- On 55 mins, the home side hit the bar through a deflected Danny James shot.

4.03pm- The latest on the bizarre Rik Halion exit from the pitch. Joe Rawle said Halion thought the referee was about to send him off for an incident on the pitch so he pre-empted this by taking himself off.

Unfortunately for Halion the ref did not dismiss him and as he exited the pitch the rules state he was unable to re-join the action.

4.01pm- GOAL! Malvern 1-0 Ledbury. Just seconds after the re-start Malvern take the lead through a lovely low effort from Darren Andrews.

3.46pm- HALF-TIME: Malvern Town 0-0 Ledbury Town.

3.41pm- In bizarre scenes, following a tussle over the far side and a discussion with the referee, Malvern's Rik Halion (today's captain) walks off the field. He was not sent off but was replaced a minute later.

3.39pm- On 39 mins, Chris Allen's shot goes wide from James' cross for Malvern. Five mins earlier James himself has a chance for himslef, a tame header saved off the line.

3.17pm- Joel Skyers puts the ball over from 18 yards in Ledbury's first chance on goal in the 17th minute.

3.13pm- 13 minutes gone and its all Malvern but with no clear cut chances yet. Ledbury have just had their first corner which came to nothing.

3.04pm- Aaron Drake has a shot but pla stopped for offside. Ledbury's Mike Cole had the first effort of the match a few seconds before- which went wide.

3pm- Malvern kick us off.

2.52pm- With just a few minutes till kick-off, Ledbury will play in black and white striped shirts, black shorts and Malvern will line-up in claret shirts, sky blue socks and claret socks.

2.45pm- TODAY'S TEAMS: Malvern: 1- Craig Humphries, 2- Andy Bullock, 3- Adam Drake, 4- Wes Joyce, 5- Rik Halion, 6- D. Andrews, 7- Jamie Hyde, 8- Anthony Smith, 9- Chris Allen, 10- Craig Malins, 11- D. James LEDBURY: 1 Ade Hodges, 2- Scott Mason, 3- Tom Watkins, 4- Joe Endacott, 5- Pete Boyle, 6- Mike Cole, 7- Carl Salman, 8- Joel Skyers, 9- Ollie Endacott, 10- Jamie Welch, 11- Scott Roberts.

2.35pm- The cones are out on the pitch and both teams are warming-up with ball skills work.

2.30pm- Chatting to the Ledbury players before they start their warm-up they are hoping for a win today and are confident of a top-half finish next season. They kick-off their league campaign next Saturday with an away fixture at Darlaston in the Banks's Premier.

2.10pm- Malvern team news: The home side are missing injured players Neil Hacking and Mason Mansfield today with Andy Crowther, Paul Edwards and Brian Craven all unavailable for selection.

2pm- PROGRAMME NOTES: Malvern boss Joe Rawle is in confident mood ahead of this afternoon's clash. He said: "We've got to fancy oursleves today. "I don't know what they've got. Ledbury will be half-decent. "They will get stuck in and feel like they've got something to prove against us. "They don't have much money to spend like us. "They have been going with young kids recently. I'm looking forward to us getting out there again and getting another game under our belts."