MALVERN Town exited the West Midlands League Premier Division Cup on a dramatic night at fellow high-fliers Wolverhampton Sporting Community.

Les Jones’ side drew 1-1 in the quarter-final after extra-time before Sporting sneaked through 6-5 on penalties at Pride Park, Great Wyrley.

It was a much-anticipated rearranged encounter between two of the division’s best sides with the hosts second in the table behind runaway leaders Haughmond and Malvern fourth.

Town boosted their hopes of catching Sporting in the league with a 2-0 win at Willenhall Town last Saturday while their rivals lost 2-1 at third-placed Wolverhampton Casuals who visit Malvern on Saturday in a big clash (3pm).

Both sides started the cup tie playing high-tempo football and Dimitri Dunkley fired over for the hosts on 16 minutes.

Sporting won a penalty within seconds and keeper Charlie Weaver was sent the wrong way from the spot by Matthew Vaughan.

Josh Weatherby shot over for Malvern in a fiery encounter and Max Kontic-Coveney went close after skipping past a defender.

The visitors upped their game and top scorer Dave Reynolds tested the keeper from Weatherby’s pass five minutes before half-time.

And Weatherby, who struck from around 40 yards with his first touch after coming on as a substitute at Willenhall, levelled on half-time with another impressive effort after darting past his marker.

Malvern impressed in the second half with Harry Wickett bursting down the left flank and Phil Harris defending well.

Sporting dragged a shot just wide as the tackles flew in during an intense contest.

Keeper Weaver saved well and then punched away a corner while Reece King and Weatherby fired over for Malvern, taking the game into extra-time.

Weatherby had an early header cleared off the line but Sporting threatened too in the first period.

Both sides then had penalty appeals turned down and Town sub Lewis Platt ran through the defence to go close to a dramatic winner.

However, Sporting held their nerve in the resulting penalty shoot-out.

After Malvern’s big game with Casuals they visit mid-table Shifnal Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

In contrast Malvern Town Reserves won 3-0 at Bewdley Town Reserves on spot-kicks in the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup after drawing 0-0.

It followed a 3-0 weekend defeat at Emerald Athletic in Division Two.

The eighth-placed reserves visit basement boys Azaad Sports on Saturday (3pm).