Malvern Town manager Lee Hooper was not entirely satisfied with his team's performance despite reaching the next round of the Hellenic League Challenge Cup.

10-man Malvern had led 3-0 mid-way through the second-half at Brimscombe & Thrupp but a late rally from the hosts and a red card to Town's Joe Bates made things difficult and Hooper admits it was a lot more nervy than it should have been.

"We made it difficult for ourselves at the end," he said.

"We had to face a few final minutes under the cosh, which was unnecessary.

"We weren't the greatest first half but at half-time we had the discussion that we didn't implement the things we set out and we ironed that out.

"And then in the first 20 minutes of the second half we came out and you saw the improvement with the three goals and we should have really put the game to bed after that.

"We got a bit too confident and switched off and they punished us with two goals.

"I am quite glad the final whistle went because I think any more time and we would have been under even more pressure."

Despite the squeaky final stages, Malvern do go through to face Division 1 side Clanfield 85 this Saturday but Hooper knows improvements are needed even if their opposition are a league below them.

"here are a lot of positives but the lads know the mindset wasn't great at times. Some of them lacked desire and positional sense and discipline and they know that.

"So we cant play like that Saturday at home to Clanfield so we have to put that right and we recognise that."