AFC Ludlow have been dealt a huge blow to their promotion hopes after inspirational player Dale Hodge decided to leave the club for Kington Town.

Hodge has been one of Dave Cooper's star players this season, especially as his brother Nathan has been sidelined with a back injury.

The Showtime Stadium side are 12 points adrift of Bromyard Town in the race to get out of West Midlands (Regional) League Division One and drew 0-0 at Trysull at the weekend – their sixth draw on the bounce.

“I’m disappointed that Dale is leaving us as he’s a great player, but I can’t blame him” said Cooper.

“I just hope that his brother can come in and re-find the form he has shown over previous seasons."

Cooper said he is hopeful Nathan Hodge will be able to return to the side shortly and inject some spark into the team.

The boss was once again questioning what might have been following a disappointing stalemate at Trysull.

“We’re missing a striker and it is really costing us at the moment” said Cooper, whose side have the worst scoring record out of the top five teams in their league.

“We’re a good enough team. Defensively we’re good enough and in midfield we’re good enough, but we are really struggling with the lack of any cutting edge up front.”

AFC Ludlow came close to breaking the deadlock in a second half that saw the visitors boss the opposition in terms of possession, Jake Price rounding the keeper before seeing his effort rebound off the foot of a post.

“We need a bit of luck” said Cooper.

"The players are looking around at each other in the dressing room wondering what they’ve got to do to get a win at the moment.”

But Cooper is insistent that his young side keep their confidence and self-belief.

“I tell them they are good enough, we’re the only team to have beaten Bromyard home and away and we’re made up of a lot of young lads.

"For a club that has only been going for a few seasons, to be in a position like we are in is incredible.”

And Cooper believes the club as a whole is progressing in the right direction.

“The set up here is fantastic, you couldn’t ask for better.

"We’ve got great facilities, and from the coaches to players we’ve got a really dedicated team, we’re all in it together.

"With a squad full of young local lads we’ve got a bright future.”