WITH neither of the top two in division one of The Soccer Site Malvern League in action last Sunday, the spotlight fell on the tight contest at the top of division two.

After the games were played, the battle for the title was even closer with only three points separating the top three with third-placed Keyz 04 having a game in hand.

To make matters more interesting, the goal differences are almost identical, only two goals between the teams.

League leaders Perowne Park Rangers held on to top spot but had their lead cut when they were held to a 2-2 draw at All Star Misfits. Even this point looked beyond them when they were 0-2 at half-time to goals from Anthony Bradford and Neil Jones.

Perowne, who had not been helped by their late arrival after getting lost and misdirected in Ledbury, regained their composure in the second half and struck back with goals from Dan Wakecam and Lee Barmby to take a point and maintain their top spot.

The game of the day in this division was the clash of the 'Keys' with second-placed Keyz 04 entertaining Belmont Keys. Keyz 04 missed the chance to go top and Belmont climbed above them following a 3-0 victory to the visitors. Kicking up the slope Belmont Keys almost took an early lead when Dave Perera hit the post after a good run. But Perera was not to be denied and his shot from 18-yards found the back of the net via a slight deflection to put the visitors ahead.

The lead was increased in the 40th minute with a stunning goal from Nick Dauncey, who was near the halfway line when the ball bounced in front of him and he sent in a thunderous shot which whistled over the goalie and into the top corner of the net to score what was a contender for goal of the season. Dave Perera then made it 3-0 just before half-time when, following another good run, his shot found the bottom corner of the net.

The second-half saw Belmont give an excellent all-round team performance to keep Keyz 04 out with Gavin Smith and Nick Dauncey working hard in a midfield, anchored well by Rob Jones, with Darren Pearce keeping the home side occupied from out on the wing.

In the division's other game, those tennis score 'fans' Ganglands were at it again when they visited Dilligaf United, but this time they went down 4-6 to give them a goal difference of 35-36 and average of over seven goals per game. Dilligaf's victory came courtesy of goals from Matt Dance, Pat Locke, Karl Lancett, Yagambaram Moodley and two from Ali Barnes and some resolute defending over the last 10 minutes with Gangland's responses coming from Dave Cottrell, Tom Bethell and two from Gordon Mansell.

These two teams meet in the President's Cup semi-final in two weeks.

The only game in division one saw something of an upset when bottom-placed Morgan Aero 8 gained their first league victory of the season when they beat visitors Cross Keys 3-2 in an entertaining game.

Morgan took the lead in the 20th minute when Marcus Eden was bought down in the area and Richard Bird stepped up to fire the spot-kick home. Cross Keys equalised in the 35th minute when Jamie Abba back- heeled the ball in from close range when the home side failed to clear a corner.

Both home keeper Steve Davies and visiting keeper Craig Humphries made good saves to keep the score level until Morgan's Phillip Dunn latched onto an error from the visitors' defence and drove the ball home. Ollie Endacott made it 2-2 when he shrugged off a challenge from Neil Thompson before coolly placing the ball past the keeper. When Morgan Aero 8 grabbed what turned out to be the winner it was unfortunate for visiting keeper Craig Humphries, who came out of goal to clear but his clearance went straight to Phillip Dunn just inside the Cross Keys half. He proceeded to calmly lob the ball straight into the empty net.

Cross Keys pressed for the equaliser but Steve Davies was in fine form in the home goal and when he was beaten first Christian Gandar headed off the line and then Dave Jeynes also cleared off the line to give Morgan all three points.

In the HFA Sunday Cup semi-final the league's representatives Oak Allstars went down 3-4 to Marden after extra-time.

They did not help their cause when firstly they were reduced to 10 men in the first half and then went down to nine men midway through the second half. Despite this they led 3-2 at one time during extra time before they ran out of steam and conceded two late goals.