ATTACK-minded manager Les Jones has urged his players to continue to play the ‘Malvern Town way’ as they aim to see off visitors Willenhall Town on Saturday (3pm).

Malvern are the second highest scorers in the West Midlands Football League Premier Division with 56 goals in 17 games.

However, they came up against a stubborn Cradley Town team in midweek and were held to a 0-0 draw at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

Jones said it was a “frustrating” night as Malvern missed a host of chances before Dene Whittal-Williams received a second yellow card late on.

“We had four or five good chances and hit the bar but we didn’t work the goalkeeper enough, so I am frustrated,” he said.

“I am not frustrated with the players, just with the result and extremely frustrated with the referee.

“Dene was sent off about 15 minutes from the end. We were still pressing and creating chances even with 10 men but that just took the momentum away and probably stopped us from getting the winner.”

Jones felt 14th-placed Cradley, who had won four of their previous six games, “came for a draw”.

“They came with a game-plan to get a result, killing time from the beginning,” he said.

“Because we have progressed so much and are a good side, it seems teams are coming to our ground with a game-plan.

“Before, sides would come and give it a go, so I have to see that as a positive.”

The draw ended a run of four successive wins for Malvern, who are third in the table, 10 points behind leaders Haughmond with a game in hand.

However, Jones insisted he did not want his players to get downhearted by the result as they prepare to tackle eighth-placed Willenhall.

“We will continue to play our way as we have got an attacking team and play good football,” Jones said.

“Cradley’s game-plan would have gone out of the window if one of the five chances had gone in. So we won’t change the way we play.

“We wanted three points and got one but it is a long season and that point could get us a higher position in the league.

“When you consider we were down to 10 men for 15 minutes, we could have easily come away with a defeat so it was a point gained.”

Winger Max Kontic-Coveney is set to return to face Willenhall after an ankle injury but Malvern will be without defender Jamie Hyde, who starts a three-game ban for a red card.

Jones added: “I expect Willenhall will be fiercely competitive as they are a decent side. I don’t know if they will come with a defensive plan.

“But we have got to take our chances on Saturday.”