BOSS Kristian Morgan hailed frontman Mike Shillcock as Orleton Colts overturned a two-goal deficit to inflict a first league defeat of the season on table-topping Hinton.

Despite giving away a pair of bad goals, Colts rallied to a 3-2 success at Broomy Hill following the introduction of substitutes Shillcock, Stephen Swan and Martin Edwards.

Soon after his introduction, Shillcock flicked on for Aaron Davey to halve the deficit and then provided the ammunition for Shane Jennings to scamper away and convert two one-on-ones.

The result marked Orleton’s sixth Herefordshire Premier win in a row, cementing sixth place in spite of a treacherous opening half to the season which saw them threatened by relegation.

And while Morgan admitted that start had put a late surge for honours beyond their reach, he declared his faith in their current pattern of play.

“It is too little too late in a way,” he said. “We knew we had the players to challenge and now we have a full squad to choose from every week, things have been different.

“We have found a new system that works for the players and confidence has grown. We are playing well at the moment.

“Hinton was the hardest test we’ve had recently. They were big and physical and bullied us a bit to start with.

“None of our players reacted to the free-kick and their lad headed it in, then they scored pretty much straight away at the start of the second half from a simple ball in.

“We changed things, brought on Mike up front and Stephen and Martin in midfield. Things began to turn once we got it down and started to play a bit of football on the ground.

“They couldn’t match us and Mike changed the game really. We scored three goals in about five minutes.”

And Orleton have revenge on their minds when they travel to Pegasus reserves on Saturday (2.30).

“They won 4-3 at our place at the start of the season,” said Morgan. “I remember that being a very frustrating game, it was one we should have won so it would be nice to go over there and get them back.”

Meanwhile, Orleton’s second string continue to endure a torturous time at the foot of Division One – and there was no let up on Saturday.

Leaders Tenbury Town ensured there would be no upset at the Recreation Ground, racking up a 10-1 victory to consign former manager Bob Sumner to a 17th straight league defeat in charge of Colts reserves.

Mark Boucker (2), Adam Everall, Jack Farrar and Toby Gittens got on the score sheet with another five coming from substitutes as Keiran Fish netted a hat-trick and Adam Andre Pereira a double.

Ross Hurley got Orleton’s goal with the hosts at least keeping things close for the first 45 minutes – the half-time score was 2-1.

Colts will try to register their first point of the campaign when they host Woofferton on Saturday (2.30). The reverse fixture is scheduled for one week later.