DAVE Reynolds scored one and set up another as Malvern Town returned to the top of the Hellenic League Premier thanks to a morale-boosting 2-0 win at Brimscombe & Thrupp. 

The Hillsiders knew any victory would take them to the summit after Cribbs dropped points in a surprise 2-2 draw with second-bottom Chipping Sodbury Town on Friday night. 

Despite a goalless first-half, Reynolds' strike just three minutes after the restart put Malvern in front and it was the midfielder's header back across goal that allowed Matt Turner to tap home with 20 minutes to play. 

It was a tricky-looking away day for Malvern, especially after a run of three defeats in four matches in all competitions, but they got the job done and applied a little more pressure on Cribbs.

The result puts them a point ahead of their title rivals but the Bristol-based outfit do still have two games in hand on Malvern. But their draw on Friday means Malvern have closed the gap that is most likely going to reach five points at some stage.

But either way, co-manager Stephen Cleal was delighted with his team's performance. 

"I was really pleased with the performance against a very good side," he said.

"It was a tough game against opponents with plenty of attacking intent and also on a heavy pitch, but everyone put in a great shift. We did a professional job out there to secure a deserved three points.

"We dominated the early part of the game but had to wait until the start of the second half to get ahead and then we managed to kill the game off with our second goal.

"The character and commitment was there for all to see; every game now becomes more important than the last as we enter the business end of the season."