MALVERN Town Reserves battled out a 2-2 draw at Westfields Reserves in the Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division.

Town started well and created half-chances but fell behind when the referee gave a penalty to the hosts on 20 minutes.

Keeper Ciaran McGee dived the right way but could not keep the ball out.

Despite the setback Town kept up the pressure with a series of corners and created chances but found the home keeper in good form.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away when Lewis Richardson appeared to be pushed over inside the area.

The second period started with Ben Price and Lanre Giwa going close early on.

Price's pace caused problems and just past the hour had his progress halted on the edge of the area.

From the resulting free-kick Jack Cullity found the top corner.

Malvern then controlled the game with neat passages of play.

They went ahead on 75 minutes when Tom Salacinski picked the ball up 35 yards from goal and drove forward to dispatch a powerful strike.

But Fields equalised late on when a speculative effort took a wicked deflection on its way beyond McGee.

“I was well pleased with the attitude of the lads,” said Malvern manager Peter Daffin.

“They gave a 90-minute display and were very unlucky not have come away with all three points.

“This is a very hard place to come with our hosts winning their last 16 games on the bounce at home so we knew this was a game we couldn't lose.

“The result leaves us two points behind them with a game in hand. We’ve had a period of games where we have played the teams above us and we’ve done very well to hold our position in the top five.

“Hopefully we can now push on and challenge for the top position.”