Evesham United lost 2-0 to Malvern Town, but still managed to hold onto fourth place in the Southern League Division One. 

The game maintained the trend showcased in the fixtures between the two sides last year, as the away side came away with all three points. 

The match is Evesham's third goalless game in a row.

Evesham started on the front foot, emerging as the dominant force and getting the larger share of genuine goal scoring chances in the first 20 minutes. Despite their strong attacking play - largely down to Joshua Barlow's work in midfield - none of their attacks materialised. 

In the 35th minute Malvern's Sam Clarke, who grabbed a hattrick in his previous game, broke through the Evesham defence and neatly slotted it around the keeper. Celebrations were quickly nullified however, as the linesman raised his flag for offside. 

Just minutes later Evesham followed suit as Levi Steele scored a similar goal, escaping the Malvern defence before hitting it goalwards. The referee's whistle blew for offside before the ball even hit the back of the net. 

The sides went into the halftime break even, with neither having broken through, however Malvern returned revitalised and quickly began to dominate large periods of the game. 

Early on in the second half the ball bounced kindly for Levi Francis, who struck it on the half-volley from outside the box, forcing a strong save from Evesham's Alexander Harris. 

Malvern refused to let up on the pressure providing wave after wave of attack, which ultimately resulted in Levi Francis bagging the opener, hitting the ball into the top corner of Evesham's front post. 

The lead was doubled soon after as Lewis Spurrier made a darting run up the left flank and squared the ball to Sam Clark, who calmly finished into the bottom right of the goal for his sixth of the season. 

The momentum switched back Evesham's way following the second goal, as Malvern looked content to sit back and defend. Alfie Dunn provided Evesham's best chance of the game taking it around Lewis Adams in goal and striking the ball into an empty net. Malvern were able to keep their clean sheet intact through Charlie Johnson who made a scrambling, last-ditch effort to deflect the ball away. 

Malvern saw out the rest of the game, maintaining their clean sheet. Leaving Evesham goalless in their last three matches - something they will hope they can put a stop to next time out against Melksham Town.