AFC Ludlow 1 Newport Town 2

AFC Ludlow boss Dave Cooper insists he isn’t too downbeat after his side paid the penalty in the Shropshire FA Challenge Cup.

Danny Gower missed a last-minute penalty in Saturday’s first-round clash after Jamie Marsh had fired them ahead from the spot.

But Cooper said his side can now focus on climbing the Mercian League Premier Division table.

“We could have taken the match into extra-time but it didn’t happen,” said Cooper.

“We had used all our substitutes and a few of the lads were struggling with injuries.

“Gower struck his penalty weakly and the goalkeeper saved it fairly comfortably and it was the last chance of the game.

“We are not too downbeat about going out because we are falling quite far behind in the league. It’s one fewer game for us to worry about.”

Gower and Jamie Hammonds are not available for this Saturday’s Premier Division trip to basement side Dawley Town. Jake Pryce is suspended and Rob Vass has a groin strain.

Ludlow are fifth but have played six fewer league matches than table-topping Church Stretton.

“Dawley are at the bottom of the league - but we won’t be taking anything for granted,” said Cooper.

“We’re struggling for players and it looks like Mike Seaborne and I will have to go on the bench.”

The injured Ryan Lockley was in the crowd for last weekend’s re-arranged cup match which was abandoned seven days earlier with the teams level at 4-4.

Lockley suffered a double fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in the original tie.

Jamie Marsh put Ludlow ahead from the penalty spot but higher-graded Newport levelled before the break and took the lead in the second-half.

“We played OK and we played as well as we did the previous weekend,” said Cooper. “It was nice to see Craig Breakwell playing for us. He was tripped for our first penalty.

“We conceded a couple of sloppy goals but perhaps their goalkeeper was lucky to stay on the pitch after bringing down Gower for the last-minute penalty.

“I don’t want to see anyone sent-off but the goalkeeper was the last man and he didn’t even get booked for the foul.”

 AFC Ludlow hope to arrange a fund raising game with Hereford United later in the season after Tuesday’s scheduled friendly was postponed.

The Bulls have given Ludlow the match ball from their FA Cup first-round win over Shrewsbury Town to raise money for Ryan Lockley.