ROMULUS 3, MALVERN TOWN 0 MALVERN Town conceded three late goals as they crashed to a British Gas Business Southern League Division One Midlands defeat at Romulus.

Joe Rawle's side created the opening chance when, after five minutes, good work through the middle saw the ball slipped to Andy Crowther, whose shot was saved by Romulus keeper Matt Harris.

Romulus retaliated and played the ball upfield, where Marc Wright, deputising for the suspended Craig Humphries in the Town goal, parried Tyrone Fagan's shot before Leon Mitchell's effort hit the upright.

In the 14th minute, Dave Cannon chested the ball down from Mitchell and, while Malvern were trying to clear it, a Romulus player went down in the area and the referee had no hesitation to awarding a penalty. Jason Lanns stepped up but put hit spot-kick wide of the post.

Malvern continued to battle, matching Romulus in every department, and went in at the break 0-0 with corners being headed wide and a shot-cum-cross from Joel Skyers going over the bar.

At the start of the second-half, Danny Moon crossed to Tom Lacey whose shot was dropped by keeper Harris, but no-one was there to pick up the loose ball. Four minutes later, good work by the Malvern team saw the final shot go just wide and Harris then gathered a Chris Allen shot in the 61st minute.

Malvern earned a corner in the 66th minute and both central defenders went up to challenge. The keeper gathered the cross and kicked a long ball upfield. Seb Hamilton ran diagonally between the defenders on the half-way line, chested the ball down and chipped the advancing Wright to put the ball into the net.

While Malvern were adjusting to going a goal down, their heads dropped and Hamilton smashed in his second four minutes later, firing home from the edge of the box.

Malvern gradually got themselves together and a Jamie Hyde cross saw Cannon head wide.

Then, in the final minute Skyers slipped at the back and the ball fell to Hamilton, who crossed for Lei Brown to grab Romulus's third.

The scoreline did no justice to the way Malvern had played, but their lack of a proven goalscorer was once again decisive.

Malvern have two home games over the Easter period - Barton rovers tomorrow and Cinderford on Easter Monday (both 3pm).

Malvern, who have not won a home league game this season, will be without several players due to holidays, work commitments and weddings.