MALVERN Town's FA Cup dreams were ended at the first hurdle on Saturday as hosts Highgate United came from behind to win 3-1.

Harry Clark put Town ahead just before half-time but the Midland Football League Premier Division produced a brilliant second-half to secure their place in the next round with a quick fire triple.

The visitors had started well and the likes of Joe Bates, Dave Reynolds and Joe Bullock all forced the home 'keeper into some smart saves as Malvern pushed for the opener.

Highgate had taken a while to get a foothold in the game but were so close to going ahead had it not been for Keiron Blackburn's save to tip a rasping strike over the bar.

Then with 10 minutes to go some sharp attacking play saw Clark and then Reynolds denied in quick succession before the ‘keeper did well to thwart the latter again as he broke through.

Town finally managed the goal their play had warranted on 42 minutes when Clark twisted and turned before taking it around the ‘keeper and eventually firing into the net.

They ended the half strongly with Clark causing problems and it was the same story at the start of the second period as Bullock played in Clark who was denied by a smart save.

But it didn't take long for the home side to level matters as Lee Chilton poked home after Malvern's appeals for offside in the build-up were waved away.

The Hillsiders were hit with a sucker-punch when Aon Abbas fired the home side in front with a low strike just past the hour-mark and it was soon 3-1 when Blackburn initially did well to deny Chilton but as the loose ball was crossed to the far post, Ryan Boothe headed home.

As Malvern looked to get back into the game, Clark’s effort was hacked off the line and he then provided Nathan Chowns Higgs with an opportunity but it was fired over.

Gate had their goalkeeper sent off on 75 minutes after he brought down Chowns Higgs who was through on goal and despite a few more chance for the away side, they could not make the man advantage count and their FA Cup adventure was over.