MALVERN Vale beat local rivals Hanley Swan for the third time this season.

The town side ended a run of six games without a win thanks to a 5-2 away triumph in Cheltenham League Division One.

Third-placed Vale had already beaten Hanley 4-2 at home on the first day of the season and 2-0 in the Junior Charity Cup in September.

A bright start produced the opener inside the first 10 minutes when Nick Jones played in Ameer Khan who ran through to coolly slot past keeper Dan Rawlings.

Hanley looked dangerous down both wings but could not capitalise on chances created.

On 18 minutes Vale's Remy Gordon sent Andre Rodrigues through to calmly chip the ball into the net.

Then after 28 minutes Gordon's cross was flicked on by Rodrigues and with new Hanley signing Mike Thackeray unable to clear Khan was left with the simplest of finishes.

Two minutes later Samson Arishe was tripped in the box and Khan fired home the resulting spot-kick to secure his hat-trick.

But a long-range effort from Hanley was spilled by keeper Marcin Celmer and Jordan Richards was adjudged to have fouled the striker with Aston Gunter scoring the penalty.

Khan had another effort ruled out by a late flag and on the stroke of half-time Hanley further reduced the deficit when Ash Hall-Robinson fired home.

But a couple of changes to the Vale back-line seemed to stem the tide even when Richards was sin-binned for dissent.

Alex Bradley, Jack Lin and Ryan Knowles retained possession and after Richards returned fifth-placed Hanley pushed more men forward to leave gaps at the back.

Knowles' acrobatic effort dropped just wide before Jones chased down a loose ball and rounded Rawlings before unselfishly squaring for Khan to complete the scoring with his fourth goal.

Hanley host Shurdington Rovers, who are second in the table, on Saturday while Vale visit AFC Renegades in 11th.

Welland Reserves won 4-3 at Fintan in Division Two thanks to goals from Jim Owen, Joe Crews, Edward Lyons and Josh Marshall.

In Midland League Division Three on Saturday, Upton Town hope to return to action at home to county rivals Inkberrow.

Welland go to high-fliers Coventry Plumbing in the Challenge Vase quarter-finals.