THIRD-placed Malvern Vale Firsts lost 3-2 at second-from-bottom Cheltenham Saracens thirds in Cheltenham League Division Four.

They made a sloppy start and a misplaced pass allowed Saracens to tap home a second-minute opener.

Vale’s back four were then solid and Newman had a free-kick saved in a quiet half.

They looked for an equaliser early in the second period but Saracens buried an early chance to make it 2-0.

New signing Declan Andrews was introduced and linked well with forwards Miguel Passaro, Ashley Dallow and Joe Turner.

Vale were caught out for a third goal but substitutes Aaron Griffiths and Luke Henney brought the game to life.

Griffiths crossed for Turner to fool the defender and bury his 16th goal in 24 games.

Henney then found Dallow who linked up well with Vale man of the match Passaro before netting his 22nd goal in 25 games.

Vale face Cheltenham Civil Service thirds on Saturday in the Primary Charity Cup semi-finals at Tewkesbury School (4pm).