MALVERN Town secured back-to-back wins with a 2-0 victory at Bashley to strengthen their grip on a play-off place.
Goals from Dion Molyneux and Ryan Brunt sealed a hard-fought victory for Lee Hooper’s side at the Veho Community Stadium.
And Bashley had Finley Toghill sent off either side of Malvern’s goals as the home side finished the game with 10-men.
The result means Malvern sit second in the Southern League Division One South table, 10 points clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off spot.
Town made a bright start as Levi Francis and Matt MacDonald combined well to tee up Joe Tumelty who could only fire over the crossbar.
Bashley created a chance of their own as Malvern goalkeeper Josh Bishop forced Jack Lovell wide with the latter only able to hit the side netting after a ball over the top caught out the Hillsiders defence.
Malvern responded with a chance of their own as the visitors flicked on Charlie Johnson’s long throw only for Oscar Glover to comfortably save Tumelty’s strike.
Bishop had to remain alert at the other end as he reacted sharply to save Harvey Bertrand’s early shot following a break down the right.
The best chance of the first period also fell to Sam Clark who headed Johnson’s cross narrowly wide after getting in front of his marker.
And Malvern went close again before the break as Ryan Watkins produced a last-ditch challenge to deny Tumelty a chance on goal.
The Hillsiders eventually broke the deadlock on 56 minutes when Molyneux headed Johnson’s corner past Glover to put the visitors ahead.
And Bashley’s frustration boiled over on 77 minutes when Toghill received a straight red card after he kicked out at Malvern’s Luke Payne.
The Hillsiders made the most of the extra man six minutes from time as Tumelty’s shot from the edge of the area hit substitute Brunt and deflected fortuitously into the net.
