NINE-man Malvern Town suffered heartbreak as West Midlands League Premier Division high-fliers Tividale snatched a stoppage-time equaliser for a 1-1 draw.

The first chance of the HDAnywhere Community Stadium game fell to Town as James Febery was just inches over with his header from Louis Loader's free-kick.

Then on 10 minutes Loader linked up well with Harry Clark on the edge of the area as his low effort hit the base of the post.

Shortly afterwards neat football ended with a effort from distance by Curtis Smith looping over the keeper but crashing against the bar.

Phil Harris saw a low effort saved but Tividale looked a threat on the break as a long ball set Dan Smith off in chase but Charlie Weaver was alert to smother at his feet.

A towering header from Matt Hunt was saved by Weaver on the half-hour before Weaver and Curtis Smith did well to thwart Dan Smith several times.

A Town corner was scrambled cleared from in front of goal as Febery applied the pressure.

But Malvern went ahead with virtually the last kick of the half as Loader’s free-kick was pumped into the area where Adam Sauntson powered home with his head.

The second half was only four minutes old when Febery was sent off for a reckless challenge on Dan Smith.

Dan Smith, Demitri Brown and Tyree Clarke went close while Weaver did well to deny the former.

Clark and Joshua Hunt teed up Town's Loader for a powerful drive which was bravely blocked.

Clark cleared off the line on 82 minutes before Curtis Smith was dismissed for his second yellow card a minute later to reduce Town to nine men.

Weaver denied Clarke but the visitors snatched an equaliser from the head of Ben Birch with 97 minutes on the clock.

Malvern co-manager Dene Whittal-Williams said: “I am unbelievably proud of the lads.

“They worked so hard and played really well.

“Even with nine men we created chances and were in my opinion the better side.

“Of course it was devastating to concede so late. I’m not sure where that much stoppage time came from to be fair.

“We’re disappointed but also extremely proud of how hard the lads worked.

"We’ve got a fantastic group here and we’ll take the positives into our next game.

“We can take a lot of confidence out of this performance. Tividale are a good side but we carried out our game plan and almost got all three points."

Malvern host Chelmsley Town in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup second round on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Malvern: Weaver, C Smith, Griffiths, A Sauntson, J Sauntson, Febery, Lane (Turner 46), Harris, Hunt (Webb 87), Loader, Clark. Subs not used: Fusco, Noke, P Smith.

Attendance: 163.

Meanwhile, Malvern are giving free admission to all youngsters aged under 12 with a full paying accompanying adult for Non-league Day on Saturday, October 13, at home to Bilston Town Community.