MALVERN Town could not build on their 6-3 midweek win over Dudley Town as they slumped 5-2 at high-flying Shawbury United.

Goals by Dave Reynolds and Ben Hayes were the only consolation in fourth-from-bottom Town’s seventh West Midlands League Premier Division defeat from 11 fixtures.

Play was even for the first 20 minutes, but then Shawbury played the ball up the left and Stuart Ellis headed home.

Three minutes later, Malvern levelled when Chris Parker crossed and Matt Turner passed for Reynolds to plant the ball into the corner of the net.

There was a two-minute delay as both Shawbury and Malvern made substitutions, with injured visiting defender Aaron Richards replaced by Louis Loader.

From the restart, a high looping ball was fired in from about 40 yards out to surprise Town keeper Chas Weaver.

Dan Beddows was allowed to pull the ball back from the byline for Stuart Ellis to head in from five yards.

With Malvern still reorganising, Matty Elsmore rounded Weaver from a through-ball down the middle and his effort from wide clipped Jamie Thomas on its way into the net.

On 52 minutes, Weaver tipped over an Elsmore shot but was beaten from the resulting corner, which was slotted home by Beddows.

Weaver saved well again on the hour mark before fine football from Malvern ended with Dane Aldington’s shot being held by Shawbury keeper Ross Bebb.

Malvern pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when Hayes fired Jack Cullity’s pass into the net.

But Weaver could not hold a cross three minutes from time and substitute Joe Bullock buried the loose ball to complete the scoring.

Malvern visit Ellesmere Rangers, who are mid-table in the Premier Division, in the FA Vase second qualifying round tomorrow (3pm).

They then visit Wolverhampton Sporting Community in the league on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Second-from-bottom Bromyard Town go to Midland League Division One outfit Hinckley in the FA Vase tomorrow (3pm).