AFC Ludlow boss Dave Cooper admits he’s considering his future after seeing his side ship five first-half goals and slump to their fourth defeat in six games.

The West Midlands Division One side were runaway leaders going into the new year but a torrid run has seen them drop to third. And their latest 6-2 defeat at the hands of lowly Worcester Raiders was a new low point according to the manager.

“It was excruciating to watch,” Cooper admitted. “It was our sponsors day and we had a big crowd at the ground.

“We only had the bare 11 players and after eight minutes we were 2-0 down. They looked like they had 20 players on the pitch and we were five goals down at half-time. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.

“I told the players to go out a get some pride back in the second half. We hit the post but then Worcester scored another. I couldn’t believe it!”

Cooper did see striker Dale Hodge score twice later in the game including a gem of a strike from 30 yards. Ludlow also hit the woodwork twice but that did little to appease the manager.

“That’s my lowest point in football,” the fed-up boss added. “I’ve always been the sort to roll up my sleeves when things haven’t gone right but on Saturday we just rolled over.

“I just can’t figure out where it’s all gone wrong since Christmas and I don’t think my heart’s in it any more. I’ll have to see how I feel at the end of the season before making any sort of decision. On Saturday I just wanted to be swallowed up by a hole in the ground it was so embarrassing.

“I can’t fault the lads who played but you can’t have just 11 players for a game. I could understand it if we were languishing down the bottom but we still have a chance of finishing second. ”

Ludlow were due to travel to Penncroft in midweek before making the trip to Worcester Raiders on Bank Holiday Monday.

There was also disappointment for Newcastle who suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at lowly St Harmon in the Mid Wales South league. Trailing 3-0 early in the second half, Jack Kennett’s consolation came with 20 minutes to go.

An injury-time goal from Bishops Castle player-manager Alex Jones saw them lift the Newcastle Cup with a 3-2 victory over Orleton.

And Castle warmed up for Saturday’s final of Sportsjam Division One Spring Cup with Clee Hill by drawing 4-4 with Oakengates Rangers. Brown Clee lost out 4-3 to Gobowen Celtic in the same competition,

In the Premier Division, Church Stretton lost 3-2 at AFC Bridgnorth Reserves, Paul Smith and Will Twyford on target for the visitors, while in Division One of the Herefordshire League Orleton Colts Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Hinton Reserves.