MALVERN Town Women's hopes of winning the league title were dealt a huge blow on Sunday as they were held by Areley Kings away from home. 

Malvern had been on a seven-match winning run that had given them hope they could compete for the title but the draw has most certainly ended their chances. 

The Hillsiders conceded inside five minutes when Bobbie Jade-Baker scored before Jess Kenny equalised in the 14th minute with a powerful finish. But the visitors were again caught in behind moments later as they fell behind once more through Areley's Jessica Jenkins.

Steph Fisher equalised just before half-time and Malvern created a number of chances to take the lead but they could not get past an inspired performance from the Areley keeper. 

And they then fell behind when a corner deflected off Becky Evans leaving Cropper no chance.

It was a win Malvern needed and as the game edged towards the 90, hope was fading before an 88th-minute equaliser from Kenny gave them late hope.

But it was not enough and Malvern fell short, leaving Mark Taylor with few complaints. 

"We were nowhere near it and we’ve all been left extremely frustrated by the performance and the result," admitted Taylor.

"Areley played the conditions much better than us and we are left to rue missed chances, which on another day, could have seen a different outcome.

"Credit to Areley; their work rate and desire in making this a very uncomfortable afternoon. Any positives we have, we’ll take away, especially the will to keep going when the chips were down and rescue a point from what was so nearly none.

"Whilst there are no gimmie’s in football, this result makes a title challenge a whole lot less likely and has in fact now put more pressure on us for the final two games."