LEDBURY Town lost just their second game of the season last weekend as they were knocked off the top of the league for the first time in the 2022/23 campaign. 

The 3-1 defeat to Kington Town on Saturday was another blip in what has become a problematic start to the new year for Ian Merrick's men, who came into 2023 unbeaten and well clear at the top of the Herefordshire Football League Premier. 

But now they have been dragged into a title race and Hereford Pegasus Reserves' 6-1 win over Welland on Saturday knocked Ledbury off top spot. 

Pegasus now have a two point advantage over Merricks' men with 11 games to play, but both have played three more than third-placed Sporting Club Inkberrow, who are only four and six poitns behind respectively. 

It was the worst possible start for Ledbury on Saturday, who feel behind inside the opening 15 minutes when Kington's Elliot Williams slid the ball under Alex Goode in the Ledbury goal. 

They almost conceded a second in the 20th minute following a scramble in the box but the ball dribbled wide of the post.

The visitors threatened in patches but were not able to force the home keeper into a meaningful save as they found themselves 1-0 down at half-time.

And Merrick's side found themselves 2-0 down on the hour as striker Dan Pugh broke free and fired in the second to double the lead. 

It took just two minutes for Ledbury to respond though as Josh Burns fired home to get Ledbury back into the contest. 

Ledbury were well below par, as they have been for much of 2023 so far and the game was pretty much ended when Mike Ruckledge headed home a third for the hosts. 

The away side did have a last minute penalty to reduce the arrears further but Ben Febery fired wide from the spot to cap off a dismal day for Ledbury.