AFC Ludlow 1 Ellesmere Rangers 3

JAKE Pryce and Danny Gower were red-carded as AFC Ludlow crashed out of the TJ Vickers Shropshire Premier Cup on Tuesday night.

Ludlow boss Dave Cooper felt aggrieved with some of the decisions which went against his team but admitted two early Ellesmere goals 'had killed his team.'

Gower scored Ludlow's goal but former Shrewsbury Town striker Marco Adaggio bagged a hat-trick for higher-graded Ellesmere at the Showtime Stadium.

Cooper must now lift his team for Saturday's important trip to Malvern Rangers in West Midlands League Division Two.

"Sloppy defending gave Ellesmere two goals in the first 20 minutes and that killed us," said Cooper.

"Too many of my players were not at the races.

"The first goal we conceded came from a shot from the touch line which turned out to a be cross and the second was from a long ball which should have been dealt with by our defence.

"We were a bit shocked and on the back foot from the start but we hit back and Gower scored after good work from Pryce and then Gower had a one-on-one chance saved."

Ellesmere, who play two divisions higher than Ludlow, sealed their semi-final spot with a deflected third goal in the second half.

"Pryce gave away a foul in front of the Ellesmere bench and swore and he was show an red card. Gower instinctively swore and was shown a straight red.

"A lot of decisions did not go our way and we had to play the final 12 minutes with nine men on the pitch.

"I am a bit gutted by the defeat but we had a great win against Market Drayton Town in the last round and that was superb.

"We didn't play anywhere near the level that I know we can play at but we fought back after giving away two goals so early on.

"We had a good crowd on a cold night and took around £200 on the gate."

Cooper is hoping his side can shake off the cup disappointment before this weekend's match at Malvern Rangers.

"We need to get back to winning way," said Cooper.

"We will have to do without Pryce, who will be suspended, while Gower has been playing for Woofferton and their manager won't be too pleased."