CHARLIE Johnson’s thunderbolt moved Malvern Town top of the table with a narrow 1-0 victory away at Westbury United.
Johnson’s stunning strike on 23 minutes settled the game at Meadow Lane as the Hillsiders secured back-to-back wins in the league.
The result sends Malvern to the top of the Southern League Division One South table with Lee Hooper’s side one point clear at the summit.
However, second-placed Frome Town have two games in-hand on Malvern.
The game’s only goal came midway through the first half as Joe Tumelty laid a free-kick into the path of Johnson who lashed a shot into the net from 25-yards out.
And the visitors almost doubled their lead soon as Joe Bullock who forced Westbury goalkeeper Joel Manning to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Westbury improved after the break as Seth Locke denied Ben Starr early in the second period.
Malvern somehow failed to score later in the half as Manning produced a remarkable double save just before the hour mark.
The visitors had Alex Bell sent off in injury time but the Hillsiders held on despite late pressure from Westbury.
Malvern are next in action against Bideford AFC on Saturday, October 18 with kick-off at 3pm at the Sports Ground.
