MALVERN Town need one more victory to reach their target of 40 points for the season.

Manager Les Jones was charged with saving the Langland Stadium club from freefall following relegation from the Midland Alliance last term.

Victory at basement boys Darlaston in the West Midlands League Premier Division next Tuesday (7.45pm) would see that landmark reached.

It is a busy few days for Town, who lost 4-2 at home to high-flying Bewdley Town last Saturday, as they visit Worcester-based Midland Combination outfit Perrywood in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Trophy tomorrow (3pm).

Jones said: “It’s a cup competition we want to do well in but our priority is the league and stabilising the club which I think we have done.

“Darlaston are bottom of the league and a win next week could get us to 40 points which was our primary target for the season.”

Against Bewdley, Malvern took a 13th-minute lead when Oliver Endacott supplied Dave Reynolds and he ran into the box to fire home.

The hosts continued to dominate and Pykett rounded three players only to be denied by keeper Darren Steadman in the 35th minute.

However, Malvern were caught napping 14 minutes into the second period when Endacott strayed offside and Bewdley launched the ball forward for Ollie Smith to net. The home side regained the lead in the 65th minute as Pykett’s fine cross was flicked home by Reynolds.

But Bewdley levelled for a second time soon after when Rich Costello nodded in a corner and they went on to secure the points in the last nine minutes.

Chris Hough headed in to put the visitors ahead for the first time and Richard Burgess’ close-range header in injury-time sealed the points for sixth-placed Bewdley.

Jones added: “It was frustrating more than disappointing. Four individual mistakes cost us but, up to 70 minutes, I was delighted with the performance."