LEDBURY Town were left aggrieved after suffering a 3-2 defeat to defending Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division champions Wellington Reserves at New Road.

Wellington bagged the winner with 15 minutes to go before a series of contentious decisions by the officials led Town’s fans to vent their dismay.

Ledbury went into the clash in buoyant mood after claiming a 3-1 home victory over last season’s runners-up Westfields Reserves on the opening day of the season.

And the hosts began with great promise as the Wellington keeper was caught well off his line to give Harri John the task of merely slotting the ball home on six minutes.

A fine save from Nathan Ince kept Ledbury in front before Joe Butler nearly bagged a second for the home team when his shot inside the 18-yard box hit the keeper’s hand before deflecting upwards off the crossbar.

With five minutes to go before the break referee Steven Hughes judged 19-year-old stopper Ince to have committed a foul in the box which led the visitors to draw level from the spot.

But Town repaid the favour eight minutes into the second period when John was brought down in the area and Curt Williams converted his third successful penalty in two games.

It was not long before Wellington got back on level terms, though, as they netted from a corner despite calls for a handball from Town’s players.

The hour-mark saw a change of keepers for the away side as their number one sustained a leg injury.

But Ledbury failed to find the finishing touch as Asten Griffiths twice fired over.

Disaster then struck for Town on 75 minutes when a visiting striker slipped in Wellington’s third before a chance for Joe Bullock to save at least a point for his side went begging as the keeper raced out and seized the ball away from his feet.

The final quarter of an hour witnessed many heated feelings from the home players and supporters alike as they felt several debatable decisions were made by the referee and the Wellington coach running the near sideline in the absence of any Herefordshire FA assistant referees that day.

Town now face three consecutive away encounters, starting tomorrow against Kingstone Rovers (2.30pm).

Ledbury Town Reserves kick off their Division One campaign against newly-promoted Shobdon at New Street tomorrow (2.30pm).