MALVERN Town moved four points clear at the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division with their fourth straight victory.

Les Jones’ side beat Cradley Town 2-1 at the HDanywhere Community Stadium with Josh Hunt and Louis Loader on target.

Malvern, who are unbeaten in 14 league games since October 14, visit second-placed Black Country Rangers on Saturday (3pm).

The first half against Cradley was defensive with the visitors having the upper hand as far as possession was concerned and there were few chances.

In the 10th minute, Malvern's Matt Turner weaved his way through the defence and passed to Lewis Platt who cut in and shot.

But the effort was blocked and Kyonn Evans got flagged for offside.

Seventeen minutes later, Hunt and Evans combined for Platt who was tackled as he took aim.

Evans’ shot was parried and fell to Hunt whose first-time effort went over.

Phil Harris' weaving run ended with Hunt seeing his shot saved by keeper Richard Kennedy.

Malvern started the second half with a lot more purpose to their game.

Two minutes in, a shot rolled just wide and then soon after Evans found Turner whose curling effort just missed the back post.

A 57th-minute Loader free-kick was glanced over by Turner’s head.

Then Harris found Platt whose low cross was fired over by Evans.

A Cradley long throw fell to Ryan Steadman whose glancing header also went too high.

And Malvern took the lead in the 67th minute.

Harry Wickett ran into the box and sent in a low cross for Hunt at the back post to beat Kennedy to the ball and fire home.

Three minutes later, Evans passed to Turner but his shot was blocked.

In the 71st minute, Geoffrey Hill fired across the bar for Cradley and a minute later Turner’s weaving run and shot just missed the near post at the other end.

Malvern increased their lead in the 76th minute.

They were awarded a free-kick just outside the box on the left and Loader stepped up to curl his shot into the far corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Malvern keeper Charlie Weaver was called upon to save at Adam Meacham’s feet.

Another Loader free-kick was cleared off the line eight minutes from time.

Then Evans’ shot went just wide.

Two minutes into injury-time, Cradley split the centre-backs with a ball through to Lee Smith who dispatched a consolation goal.   

Malvern go to Wolverhampton Sporting Community in the quarter-finals of the Premier Division League Cup next Tuesday.

The under 21s are at home to Ewyas Harold in the Charity Bowl semi-finals on Saturday (2pm).