MALVERN Town’s Buildbase FA Vase interest ended in the first qualifying round with a 3-2 defeat at Rugby Borough.

The Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division hosts looked to threaten from the off but fell behind to Malvern's first effort on goal after eight minutes.

Aaron Griffiths’ low free-kick from out wide was delivered invitingly into the area where a deflection off a Rugby defender helped the ball home.

But Borough refused to let their heads drop and keeper Charlie Weaver did well to maintain Town's lead before the resulting corner was headed just wide.

At the other end, a high cross was not dealt with and as Joshua Hunt pulled the ball back Steve Webb was denied by a timely intervention.

Sloppy play in the middle of the park allowed Rugby to level on 25 minutes when Jordan Simms broke away and rounded Weaver before slotting into the net.

Borough got their noses in front just past the half-hour mark when another sharp break ended with Luke Jones firing in the loose ball from a rebound.

A long-range Matt Fusco effort was saved for Malvern but they fell further behind when carved open once again and Adam Shaw buried a sweet strike.

Town pulled a goal back just moments later as Curtis Smith found the net and then Griffiths’ free-kick was saved on half-time.

Malvern's tempo was better at the start of the second period and Ben Lane’s strike was beaten away before a long throw-in was flicked on by Hunt for James Febery whose attempt landed on the roof of the net.

An inviting corner from Webb then just evaded Adam Sauntson and Fusco.

Simms' strike for Rugby was deflected over by Griffiths and they had appeals for a penalty for handball waved away.

Malvern's Matt Pinder saw his strike blocked and then his free-kick was blocked by the wall.

Five minutes from time, Febery fired inches wide from Lane’s cross but Weaver had to deny Shaw as Town slipped to a disappointing defeat.

Co-manager Lee Hooper said: “We came out of the blocks slowly and didn’t stick to our game plan as we did in our last game.

“To their credit, our hosts were a well-drilled side who played some good football. They moved it around well and were sharper than us.

“That said, we managed to get our noses in front against the run of play but they were able to break through us too easily during that first half.

“I felt we responded well to going 3-1 down and after that we were the better side for the remainder of the game.

“We created half-chances but couldn’t properly carve them open.

“We’ll be looking for the right response in our next game now. The players know that we expect more from them and our consistency levels need to be much better.

“Take nothing away from Rugby because they did their job efficiently but we fell below the standards that we expect and we’ll be working hard to put it right.”

Malvern return to West Midlands League Premier Division action on Saturday at AFC Bridgnorth (3pm).

Malvern: Weaver, J Sauntson, Griffiths (Whitton 86), A Sauntson, J Smith, Webb, C Smith, Febery, Hunt, Fusco (Pinder 75), Lane. Subs not used: Parker, Noke, Aldington.