LEDBURY Town slipped to a surprise defeat at the hands of Welland last Saturday as the race for second place in the HFA County League Premier Division was blown wide open.

Hereford Lads Club Reserves and Hereford Pegasus Reserves both picked up three points and the shock 5-3 loss at Welland means Ledbury slip to fourth in the table.

Town had led 2-0 through a Tom Boyle brace but the hosts responded with two quick headed goals from Mark Holbrow and a Sean Smith tap in to lead 3-2 at half-time.

George Walker equalised after the break for Ledbury but Welland scored twice inside a five minute period thanks to Smith's second and Omar Elmougy to stun Ledbury by five goals to three.

Ledbury Town First Team Manager Ian Merrick said: "Incredibly disappointing display, after going two goals up we stopped playing.

"We lacked application and desire to win the game, after getting level at 3-3 we should have kicked on and won the game. "Individually and collectively, we let ourselves down badly. Credit to Welland, they deserved the victory."

Elsewhere at the club, the Reserves were held to a 0-0 draw by Tenbury United.

The two sides shared a six goal thriller the last time they played but neither side could find a winner as Ledbury stay seventh in the Division One table.

It was a weekend without a win for any of the three sides at the club as The Swifts were thrashed 5-0 by Worcester United Reserves.