DISAPPOINTED joint-boss Lee Hooper believed luck was not on Malvern Town’s side as they slipped to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Haughmond.
The Hillsiders took the lead after 19 minutes when Matt Turner did well on the right-hand side to carve out a chance for Ben Lane who made no mistake.
Lane should have doubled Malvern’s lead just moments later after being played in on goal but a crucial save from James Hawkins kept the score at 1-0.
It stayed that way until the 61st minute when Steve Hole levelled for Haughmond after cutting inside and firing the ball home.
Haughmond then took a 2-1 lead with 16 minutes remaining, thanks to a strike from Scott Graham.
Six minutes later the visitors added their third when Scott Ryan slotted home.
Malvern set up a tense final in the 85th minute through Josh Hunt but Haughmond held firm to walk away with the three points.
Hooper said: “It was disappointing, especially after we took the lead.
“We had a chance to double our advantage straight after going a goal up and had that gone in it would have been a different game.
“To be fair, Haughmond moved the ball well in the second half and looked sharp up front which proved to be the difference in the end.
“That said, both keepers did well and made some important saves.
“Josh (King) came in for us and did well whilst their keeper made some good saves to keep his side in it.
“Lady Luck was not on our side and we know we have to go away and work hard to earn our luck and keep pushing to get to where we want to be.”