JORDAN Annear scored a second injury-time equaliser for Malvern Town in as many games as the Hillsiders drew 2-2 against Westbury United.
In a blow to Malvern’s title hopes, Westbury looked to have snatched the points when Josh Jenkins put the visitors ahead eight minutes from time at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium.
That came after an unfortunate Dion Molyneux own goal put Westbury ahead just past the half-hour mark only for Joe Tumelty to draw the home side level.
And Annear rescued the Hillsiders again at the death with another late equaliser to stretch Malvern’s unbeaten run to four matches.
The result means Malvern sit second in the Southern League Division One South table, 12 points behind leaders Frome Town.
Westbury made a strong start as Bevan Cross dragged a shot narrowly wide before Ackeem Stewart fired over.
And Cross then forced Malvern goalkeeper Josh Bishop into the first meaningful save of the game.
The same player continued to threaten as Cross lashed an effort over the crossbar.
Molyneux then headed off the line before Bishop pounced a dangerous cross in the box as Westbury pushed for the opening goal.
And the visitors eventually broke the deadlock on 32 minutes when Molyneux and Stewart slid in to meet a cross from the right and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Stewart took the congratulations from his teammates with the goal officially recorded as an own goal against Molyneux.
Malvern struggled to find a foothold in the game in the first period as Charlie Johnson blazed well over the top from the edge of the penalty area.
Town finally troubled Westbury goalkeeper Joel Manning in the final five minutes of the first half as Tumelty’s sharp shot from the edge of the box forced the visiting shot-stopper into a save.
And Tumelty drew the home side level against the run of play on the stroke of half time when he fired a loose ball into the top-left corner of the net.
Town thought they had completed the turnaround after the break on the hour mark only for Piers Walton to see his effort ruled out for offside.
However, a devastating counter attack put Westbury back in front on 82 minutes as Jenkins slammed the ball from close range following a break down the right.
Malvern almost drew level soon after as Manning made a fine save to keep out Molyneux’s powerful header from Luke Salter’s cross.
However, the home side found an equaliser in the second minute of time added on as Molyneux rose above his marker to nod Salter’s cross back across goal and into the path of Annear.
The substitute duly headed home from close range to score yet another injury-time equaliser for the Hillsiders.
Town almost snatched the points moments later as Manning punched a corner away from Sam Clark’s header with the latter certain to score.
However, Westbury broke up the other end as Jenkins saw his shot strike the inside of the post as the Hillsiders survived an almighty scare.
Malvern are next in action against Melksham Town on Saturday, February 21 with kick-off at 3pm at the Meads of Melksham Community Football Stadium.
