Coventry Sphinx 1, Malvern Town 1.

TEN-man Malvern Town moved off the bottom of the Baker Joiner Midland Alliance with a battling away draw.

Due to the inclement weather over the previous two weeks, neither side had played since November 23.

The first-half was spent with both sides getting to grips with the pitch and their fitness. Malvern looked the stronger of the two sides but neither keeper was tested.

Within six minutes of the second-half, Coventry’s Kelvin Phillips turn his marker and advanced towards goal.

Malvern goalkeeper Craig Humphries, advancing towards him and the defender, closed in on the striker’s shot, which hit the post and came back. But Humphries caught Phillips’ foot, resulting in a penalty and a red card for the visiting keeper.

Rob Hendry went in goal but could not stop Phillips’ penalty.

Malvern spent the next few minutes organising themselves and then proceeded to dominate the final 30 minutes.

Daniel Pitt and Daniel Byford were both lively up front.

Pitt broke through once but his shot went wide of the far post.

The final ball into the box was Malvern’s main problem, often passing when they should have had a shot, and they didn’t pass when someone else had a better chance.

The exception was a wonderful goal.

Nathan Hayward played superb one-touch football with Byford which carved open Coventry’s defence. He found Byford in the box and he slotted the ball away to equalise.

Malvern continued to press and Pitt weaved his way into the box and was brought down by host keeper Lee Wilson, but the referee waved play on.

In the final minutes, Pitt found his way into the box again but his shot went straight at the keeper.

Martin Stephens, Town manager, said: “It was a good point but we were disappointed not to take all three.

“We had seven players missing and we played well and were the better side.

“We are at full strength no and it’s a good boost for us to be off the bottom of the table. We have to catch up the teams above us now.”

n Malvern’s game at Coalville Town tomorrow has been cancelled due to the latter’s continued involvement in the FA Vase.

However, Malvern’s game against Westfields in theleague, originally scheduled for December 7, has been rearranged for Tuesday, December 21 (ko 7.45pm).

This has resulted in the Herefordshire club having to travel to Malvern twice as they are also their opponents on Monday, December 27 (3pm).

Mick Pitt has joined Malvern as first-team coach.