MALVERN slipped deeper into the relegation mire after they were thumped 72-26 by promotion-chasing Burton at Peel Croft.
Wing Sam Benjamin was the pick of the scores as he racked up a hat-trick, while Ian Gilmour and prop Matt Tivey struck twice as the hosts eased to a 12-try win.
The Spring Lane outfit did not return home empty handed, though, as George Roberts went over in the final ten minutes to secure a losing bonus point.
However, relegation rivals Barkers Butts’ win over Old Laurentians on Saturday leaves Malvern five points adrift of safety, with six games remaining.
Head coach Nick Tisdale fielded a much-changed side from the one which ran Walsall close last week, but they struggled to contain their rampant opponents in the early stages.
Tivey powered over within the opening two minutes before quickly adding a second. The Malvern pack looked fairly effective in the loose, but careless handling gifted Burton the ball as they opened up 31-0 lead.
Two tries just before the break from skipper Ieuan Mustow and Tom Longley gave the visitors a glimmer of hope as they trailed 31-12 at half time.
But the match quickly slipped away from them at the start of the second period. Burton struck four times in the first ten minutes of the half before Gilmour and Harry Titley went over to move 60-12 in front.
Despite the deficit, Malvern continued to fight as Roberts produced a blistering to set up Richard Preece who touched down before Lawrence Betty scored Burton’s 11 try.
Roberts also secured the all-important losing bonus point after finishing off a good move involving Jamie Anderson and Longley. But the hosts had the final say as Benjamin crossed late on to complete his hat-trick and round off the win.
Malvern will be hoping to bounce back when they host local rivals Hereford on Saturday (3pm).