Wolverhampton Casuals 1, Malvern Town 1.

MALVERN Town put in a workmanlike display against high-flying Wolverhampton Casuals to earn themselves a draw in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

The visitors started brightly and an early chance came Joe Leighton’s way, but he headed tamely into Dan Ware’s arms.

Malvern then put together a series flowing passes to pressurise the home side.

This was before Andy Fletcher inexplicably passed to Casuals winger Daniel Francis, and he raced upfield, crossed to Tom Maydew, who picked his spot to score.

Malvern responded straight away and some neat footwork between Leighton and Paul Edwards saw Olly Endacott burst through on goal.

He rounded the keeper but, with the goal at his mercy, was disappointed to see the flag raised for offside.

Wolverhampton mounted a couple of attacks and it took quick reactions from Ian Hill to negate the danger, especially when Francis was in a good position to increase the home side’s lead.

With 30 minutes played, a clearance by Mark Brookes gave man-of-the- match Endacott the chance he needed. Outpacing the central defender, he fired home a wonder-goal from 25 yards to level.

Minutes later, a move started by Edwards saw Chris Allen cross from the byline to Mike Cole. His run and first-time shot sailed wide.

A dangerous counter-attack saw Dan Lloyd beat Fletcher for pace. His cross to the near post was half-cleared with some desperate defending. Seconds later, Hill was called into action, saving Malvern with a full-length diving effort.

A delicate chip by Endacott was headed on by Allen to Leighton but unfortunately for the midfielder, the ball would not sit down quickly enough for the latter to get his shot away.

Early in the second-half, Mark Habershow avoided Fletcher’s lunging tackle and, crossing to his strike partner Joe Alariogg, it took a well-timed tackle from Humphries to stifle the shot. Hill was called into action, collecting a fierce header as the home side pressed forward once more, keeping the scores level.

Malvern rang the changes, bringing on Rob Cullen for Cole in the hope that an injection of pace would help alter the game in Town’s favour.

But the hosts had other ideas and Maydew chipped one effort over the crossbar.

This was before scrambling defence by Hill, Humphries and Fletcher finally managed to clear a series of shots on goal.

Fletcher had another pass intercepted by Habershow and, transfering the ball to Ray Facey, the substitute fired a shot accross the six-yard box on 77 minutes.

Moments later, Fletcher picked up a yellow for bringing Ashley Francis down just outside the 18-yard box.

Town had a couple of chances late on to win the match, the best being when Humphries found Endacott in space, allowing the striker to find Dave Lawrence but his shot went over the bar.