MALVERN Vale Firsts lost 2-1 at top-flight side Tewkesbury Town in the Cheltenham League's Senior Charity Cup second round.

The visitors put up a fine show after making the perfect start.

Ash Griffiths' knock-down in the Tewkesbury area was turned in by top scorer Matt Strangwood on just two minutes.

Vale controlled the early exchanges and created the better openings.

Tewkesbury's main threats were from set-pieces but Vale's former Leominster Town keeper Nick King-Magee, who had only signed minutes before the deadline, impressed on his debut.

But the Division One side came into the game more and after the referee waved away Vale protests for a handball Town won a corner.

Their initial effort was trapped by Matt Tarling and with King-Magee already committed to the first shot he was left with a simple finish.

The half finished with both sides struggling to create many clear-cut opportunities.

Early in the second period Strangwood went down the right and crossed for the unmarked Griffiths whose header produced a diving save from keeper Andrew Pepperell.

This was to prove crucial as on 67 minutes skipper Jay Jones' back-pass from near halfway was severely under-hit and Matt Cox capitalised to slot the hosts in front.

Despite heavy pressure Vale could not really trouble Pepperell and Strangwood fired wide from a narrow angle after a defensive lapse.

Table-toppers Vale entertain Tewkesbury Town Reserves when they return to Division Three action on Saturday (2pm).

Hanley Swan won their cup derby 1-0 at Welland Reserves thanks to a goal from Kevin Moore.

Malvern Cave lost 5-0 at Kings in the competition.

Upton Town triumphed 4-2 at Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves with Zaqib Hussain bagging a brace alongside strikes from Matthew Hindmarsh and George Brand.

Frederick Harrison was among the scorers as Malvern Vale Reserves drew 2-2 at Bishops Cleeve Development in Division Four.