MALVERN Vale dropped a lead and lost a string of players to injury in a 2-2 draw at fourth-from-bottom Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves.

Already without Andre Rodrigues and Anthony Cakebread and suspended top scorer Ameer Khan, Samson Arishe, Alfie Hooper, Ryan Upson, Ben Harrington and Ethan Lambert added to the walking wounded.

In an end-to-end start Leo Milan caused problems down the left while Upson, Harrington and Nick Jones worked well through the middle.

Kris Bottrell fired wide from distance but other efforts on goal were easily collected by the home keeper in the Cheltenham League Division One clash.

Civil Service were denied by Marcin Celmer in a one-on-one but broke the deadlock midway through the half when a corner was not cleared with the ball eventually turned over the line.

It seemed to wake up third-placed Vale and minutes later Harrington picked up a loose ball in the middle of the Service half before catching the keeper off his line with a strike into the top corner.

Just minutes later Archie Gibbs crossed for Jones to put Vale ahead by half-time.

Gibbs went through twice on goal after the break without scoring and Milan also could not turn a chance home.

Celmer made several saves at the other end but midway through the half Civil Service were allowed to retake a free-kick and they broke through to fire home.

The injuries left Vale hanging on but away substitute Matt Strangwood fired just wide from the edge of the box.

Vale visit basement boys Newton on Saturday.

Dion Francis, Cathal McTernan, Kevin Moore and David Smith scored as Hanley Swan reached the Worcestershire FA Saturday Minor Cup semi-finals with a 4-2 home win over Tenbury Town.

Hanley head to Southside Star in Cheltenham League Division One on Saturday.

Malvern Vale Reserves lost 5-2 at home to Smiths Barometrics Athletic Thirds in Division Three with Toby Boswell and Kieran Kinsella scoring.

Welland Reserves must try again in the county cup on Saturday after their home tie with Feckenham Reserves was postponed.

Inkberrow beat Upton Town 3-0 in a Midland League Division Three county derby while Welland saw off Castle Vale Town 5-2.

Upton host WLV Sport on Saturday while Welland go to Coventrians.