AN equaliser five minutes from time saw Malvern Town drop points for the first time this season in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Black Country Rangers.

In truth, Town had to weather a hefty storm early on but fought back from a goal down to lead through Shaun Smith and Matt Fusco before Shaqui McDonald pounced late on.

Black Country's Kieran Clarke had an effort saved by Charlie Weaver and then hit the bar on the rebound from another of the Malvern custodian's stops.

The visitors pelted the woodwork for a second time through Jamie Saunston in the 19th minute with McDonald then denied by Weaver soon after.

McDonald finally broke the deadlock after half an hour with a delicious curling effort but the lead lasted just three minutes when Smith bludgeoned in from Luke Molloy's corner.

Malvern moved ahead eight minutes after the restart with Harry Wickett and Smith combining for Fusco to fire home from the edge of the box.

Rangers sought to hit straight back through McDonald who brought a sharp save from Weaver and after a spell of sustained pressure, the leveller ultimately arrived.

A 40-yard ball across the pitch found McDonald to control and volley into the far corner of the net and it might have got worse for Malvern when the same player hit the bar two minutes into added time.

The first team do not play on Saturday but the under-21s host Hereford Lads Club reserves (2.30) in the Herefordshire League.