FOR the second game running, Malvern Town found a way to drop points from a winning position as Chipping Sodbury came from behind to win 3-2 on Tuesday night.

A double from Harry Clark put the Hillsiders in the driving seat before a second half comeback from the home side saw them go home empty handed.

The result, Town’s second loss this season, leaves them third in the Hellenic League Premier Division, four points off top spot.

Malvern started strongly with a couple of early corners that came to nothing before an inviting free kick into the danger zone by Louis Loader saw Joe Bullock direct his effort wide.

A foul on Joe Bates gave Town a free kick right on the edge of the area and Loader’s effort was blocked by the defensive wall before Bates’ follow-up was deflected away.

The home side saw a corner find its way through to Connor Waldon who dragged wide from a good position.

They would rue that miss as Malvern took the lead with 31 minutes on the clock, Loader’s free kick came to Clark who found the net from distance.

Town continued to press and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with Clark scoring his second of the day and taking his season tally to nine, level with teammate Joe Bates.

The visitors were 3-0 up on Tuffley Rovers at half-time in their previous league game and The Hillsiders again fell into the same trap.

Chipping Sodbury reduced the deficit shortly after the break, Sol Pryce converting from the penalty spot.

Loader, Turner and Bates all had efforts miss the target before the home side equalised with just twenty minutes to go, Pryce bagging a second with a curled effort from the edge of the box.

The onslaught continued and all of a sudden, Malvern were behind as the hosts scored again just two minutes later, Waldon making up for his earlier miss as he scored from the rebound after Lewis Platt’s initial goalline block.

Malvern chased a point late on and Clark came close to completing his hattrick however there was to be one final blow for the Hillsiders with Loader being removed from the pitch after letting his temper get the better of him.

Town will be looking for a reaction this weekend when they host Royal Wootton Bassett at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium in the Hellenic League Premier Division (3pm kick-off).

Their opponents this weekend have won just four of their 14 league games and sit in 14th place so this is a game that offers Malvern a great chance to return to winning ways.