DAVE Reynolds scored in the dying seconds to salvage a point for second placed Malvern Town at Willenhall Town on Saturday.
Malvern looked set to suffer a second successive 1-0 defeat after Wellington ended Les Jones’ side’s 100 per cent winning start last Tuesday.
But with a minute left on the clock, Reynolds fired home to secure Town their first draw of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division campaign.
Having had their superb run of results brought to an end in mid-week, Malvern were determined to return to winning ways.
But they could not seem to find the finishing touch at Gipsy Lane as Bryan Craven, who has scored nine goals in five games, and the returning James Lush both missed good opportunities to break the deadlock inside the opening 15 minutes.
Malvern also had a goal ruled out as the referee felt Reynolds had pushed Willenhall keeper Ben Holden before Reece King put the ball in the net.
This then led to the hosts’ taking the lead. Holden booted the resultant free kick upfield and found Ryan Ward who outpaced the defence before chipping the ball over the advancing Chas Weaver to score.
Despite the blow, Malvern remained on top and went on to dominate the second period. It did not appear to be their day, though, as Holden saved Reynolds’ free kick before catching Craven’s header from close range.
But with only seconds remaining, Malvern got the goal they were looking for when Reynolds got on the end of Craven’s cross.
There was still time for one more chance to snatch a dramatic victory, but Jake Hollylee saw his effort cannon off the crossbar in the dying moments.
Meanwhile, Ledbury Town were also held to a 1-1 draw as Woofferton claimed a share of the spoils in Division One of the West Midlands Regional League at New Street on Saturday.