BOSS Christian Leech called on Ludlow Colts to find a more ruthless edge after allowing a two-goal lead to slip in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Hereford City.

Colts kicked off with a squad of just 12 fit and available players but started well and dominated the first half. Dan Griffiths netted the opener on the rebound after Dan Crowther had burst through and forced a save from a curling shot.

Buoyed by the goal, Ludlow seized control and Griffiths bagged his second, coolly slotting home from Scott Guilbert’s measured through ball.

It might have got even better shortly after half-time but Griffiths shot high and wide having been played through by Ashley Smith and City got their act together.

A 58th-minute header halved the deficit and the rattled visitors failed to cope with Hereford’s physicality.

A deep ball and a corner were both converted to put the home side in front and after Crowther had been thwarted by two strong saves, City made sure of the points with 10 minutes to play to leave Leech perplexed.

“We were in control after playing some of our best football of the season,” he said. “The instruction was to just keep it tight and not allow Hereford back into the game as we knew there would be a reaction.

“It shows that sometimes you need to mix up your game. As nice as the football was to see, there are times when you need your team to roll up their sleeves, work even harder off the ball and battle for each other.”

Dermot Clarke (2), Dave Wheadon, Michael Wright-Powell were Hereford’s goal scorers.

Aaron Hodge was the five-goal inspiration as Craven Arms Town ran riot in a 10-1 beating of Albrighton in Mercian League Division One. Ryan Lewis and substitute Joel Jackson were among the others to net.

Elsewhere, James Byatt, Tom Everall (2) and Gareth Horler were on target as Brown Clee won 4-1 at St Martins. The rest of the region’s fixtures were wiped out by bad weather.