MALVERN Town under 18s slipped to their first defeat of the season and ended with nine men in a 3-0 reverse at Midland Floodlit Youth League Southern Division leaders Slimbridge.

Tyler Eley's shot lacked pace before Slimbridge raced ahead with two quick goals after going in front on 29 minutes and adding a penalty.

Malvern went three down early in the second period before Curtis Smith won a free-kick that hit the top of the crossbar.

In the second half, skipper Smith saw red for a second bookable offence and in the melee that followed Eley was also dismissed.

Manager Stewart Watkins said: “We were out-battled physically in the first half.

"After we were reduced to nine men we started working as a team and played much better.

“It showed fantastic character as we refused to let our heads drop and for those final 25 minutes the nine men left on the field gave everything and worked their socks off.”