TWO goals from Joe Bates helped Malvern Town come from behind to beat Newent Town in their opening match of pre-season.

Goals from Jake Bevan and Josh Coakley had given the lower-level side the lead at the break despite Bates and Matt Turner having some decent chances.

The visitors improved after the restart and dominated the following 45 minutes as Bates twice found the net before Ben Hayes completed the comeback late on.

Both teams ended the game with 10 men after an incident saw Louis Loader and Newent's Tyler Weir were sent off by the referee.

The game started with Malvern in control as Dave Reynolds and Adam Sauntson both fired over the bar.

Bates then went close before Matt Turner was denied by the alert home keeper as he broke through.

Louis Loader was also unlucky not to break the deadlock but it was the hosts who scored twice in two minutes to give themselves a 2-0 lead against the run of play.

Bevan made room for himself before firing into the net in the 34th minute and the advantage was doubled when Coakley was able to bundle the ball home from close range.

Malvern started the second period brighter and Turner provided for Bates to half the deficit.

After Ben Hayes went close, the equaliser duly arrived as Bates finished off a neat passage of play.

Hayes then got the winner after the two red cards as he stayed cool to slot home and give malvern a winning start to pre-season.