LUDLOW Town were left to rue three missed first-half chances when they conceded three late goals to make a losing start to their Midlands Alliance campaign against Leicestershire-based opponents tipped to challenge for league honours.

Team manager Les Bristow was philosophical about the performance of his team and said: "We had seven players making their Alliance debut and it is going to take time for them to gel. We played some good football but you can't afford to miss chances against top teams."

Early saves

Quorn adopted an attacking formation in the opening quarter and home goalkeeper Martin Poole was called upon to make a couple of early saves.

Ludlow defended well and launched a couple of swift counter-attacks when Quorn lost possession, Matt Webb and Gareth Horler both failing to convert when clean through with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Just before the break Ludlow created an excellent chance when a through ball from Horler was picked up by the dangerous Andy Jones, but the striker scuffed his shot with only the goalkeeper to beat.

With a draw looking the likely result the game suddenly burst into life with 14 minutes to go.

A long ball into the Ludlow box was cleverly laid back and rifled past Poole for the opening goal, and when Ludlow pushed up looking for the equaliser they were hit on the break by Quorn who doubled their lead.

Five minutes later Ludlow only partially cleared a corner and the ball was chipped to the far post where the unmarked striker slid the ball home.

Andy Blakeley got a late consolation goal for Ludlow when Jones laid the ball back following a goalmouth melee.