MALVERN Radar improved their chances of a McDonald’s Worcester and District League Sunday Premier Division top-four finish after beating New Inn 2-1.

The first-half was fiercely contested in midfield with early pressure from the visitors.

For the second successive week, Radar lost influential captain Louis Loader to injury early on and at times struggled to contain New Inn’s busy midfielders, who played slick football on a heavy, uneven surface.

Radar were indebted to keeper Ash Brewer’s fine saves and their firm back four. Without having a shot on target, Radar reached the interval with the scores level. As conditions worsened, Radar found form playing down the slope.

Stout defending, led by Aaron Richards and Tom Clack, kept up the pressure and Jack Mackintosh finally forced a save from New Inn’s keeper on the hour mark.

But the visitors went ahead with 12 minutes remaining against the run of play.

The goal stung Radar and Mackintosh’s 87th-minute corner ricocheted around the box before Reece King set up Tom Hale, whose shot was deflected into the net to level.

With seconds remaining, another Mackintosh cross caused chaos and and King slammed the ball home to earn three points from an average team display.

Meanwhile, Colwall Village won 3-0 at local rivals Foresters Arms in Division Three as 18-year-old Toby Boswell, in his first season in adult football, scored two and set up strike partner Steven Elkins for the third.

Luan Ghashi netted twice for Inter Express in their 3-3 derby draw at Malvern Victoria in Division Two.

Second-from-bottom Leigh and Bransford Badgers lost 3-1 at Five Fathers in Division Five.

Badgers went ahead after 11 minutes when Adam Luton-Hughes tapped in Jack Pearson’s square pass.

But Five Fathers levelled eight minutes later on the counter-attack and scored twice in the second period.

In the Saturday Division, Malvern Hills finished 2013 in style by dominating at VBL Sports, winning 2-1.

They started well by keeping the ball for long first-half spells and the breakthrough came after 15 minutes when James Price split the defence for Luke Carter to beat the keeper. Hills' second came from Craig Tommey, who curled a free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards.

The second period was much the same with Matt McIntosh close to scoring and Sean Gardener having an effort disallowed for offside.

VBL netted a late penalty but were reduced to 10 men in the final 10 minutes.

Powick lead the division after a narrow 2-1 victory over Worcester Anchors.

There were two goals for Stacey Brimmell in Malvern Town Reserves’ 3-0 home win against Foregate.