Southern League Division One South: Larkhall Athletic 2-0 Malvern Town

Eben Mortimer-Taylor's brace was enough for the hosts to seal the three points on what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for The Hillsiders.

Eben Mortimer-Taylor celebrates (Image: Liz Bugg/Av Bains)

Jack Watts did have a late penalty to set-up a grandstand finish, but it was saved by Arthur Nasta as Malvern returned to Worcestershire with nothing.

Jack Watts' late penalty saved (Image: Liz Bugg/Av Bains)After the game, co-manager Stephen Cleal: "It's one of those games, it was disappointing. We gave away a soft early goal.

"Otherwise, there was not a lot in the game and it was a bit like Wednesday's defeat at Tavistock when our mistakes were punished. We shot ourselves in the foot and it wasn't good enough.

"We huffed and puffed but there was no continuity. We weren't in shape and we weren't good defensively and in an attacking sense, we didn't make the right decisions."

Malvern remain in 14th in the table with eight games to play and whilst there is little to no danger of being dragged into relegation trouble, Cleal does not want to see his side coast through the remaining games of the season.

Stephen Cleal wants to see his side finish the season strongly (Image: Cliff Williams)

"The danger is that we don't let these last eight games of the season go to waste," he added. "We are at home on Friday which will be a tough test against Melksham but five of those eight games are away from home and we need to be better on the road.

"I can't thank the fans again for their support and I ask that they turn out again over the Easter break and get behind us again."

As Cleal mentioned, Malvern face Melksham at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium on Good Friday (March 29, 3pm) before a local derby with Evesham United on Easter Monday (April 1, 3pm).