A DOMINANT second-half display saw Malvern Town secure three hard-earned points with a 3-1 victory over fellow Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West promotion hopefuls Malmesbury Victoria.

The visitors went ahead out of the blue just before the half-hour mark when keeper Jordan Dibble failed to hold on to a long through-ball and Jamie Packer tapped home.

But it took just three minutes into the second period for leaders Malvern to level when a low ball into the danger zone from George Hayes was gobbled up by Dave Reynolds.

Matt Turner and Harry Clark went close in quick succession with the ball rattling off the underside of the bar and out.

Reynolds was brought down with 20 minutes to go but Clark’s penalty was saved by Joshua Langley who then denied Matt Fusco from the follow-up.

Malvern finally took the lead on 74 minutes when good work from Clark saw the ball fall to James Febery who curled it home from the edge of the box.

Town extended their lead with just over 10 minutes to go when Curtis Smith broke through and Fusco slotted home.

Co-manager Dene Whittal-Williams was delighted with the way Malvern grew into the game to come from behind.

 “We had to remain patient,” he said. “We knew they are a decent side who were physical at times but played their football when they wanted to.

“Going into the second half we had to be more relaxed on the ball and keep it better.

"Getting the equaliser so early on lifted everything and it may have been a different story had we not been able to do that.

“I am really happy with the win. We had to grow into the game but in the end our fitness and quality shone through during the second half.

“We stayed focused and the victory was all based around hard work. There were some fantastic performances out there, particularly young Curtis (Smith) who stepped up and was a real leader.

“We remain top of the table but that means nothing until the end of the season.

"We face a different scenario in our next game on Saturday at Wellington (3pm).

"We’re back playing on grass for the first time in a while and face a decent side who are always tough opponents.

“We’ll go there with the same outlook to work hard and play football when we can so that our quality shines through.”

Malvern: Dibble, Smith, Hunt, Harris, J Febery (J Sauntson 88), Turner (Fusco 67), Hayes (Craven 80), Loader, Evans, Reynolds, Clark. Subs not used: A Sauntson, B Febery.