MANAGER Christian Leech reckons Ludlow Colts need just a couple of key signings to mount a promotion challenge next season.

Leech’s youthful Colts, who unexpectedly became the town’s senior side following the summer collapse of AFC Ludlow, have held their own and sit eighth in Herefordshire Division One a little over halfway through their first season in men’s football.

In a match switched to Ludlow’s 3G surface due to bad weather, they battled well with table-topping Tenbury Town on Saturday before succumbing to a 5-3 defeat.

But the performance drew praise from their opponents, an opinion shared by Leech.

“I was proud of the boys,” he said. “Their attitude and commitment was spot on and there was no complaining when I played certain players in positions they were not used to.

“We had a chat after the game and I believe we are just two or three players away from challenging at the top of the league, which is where we want to be next season.”

Ludlow started on the front foot but Declan Bright cut inside to hit a post for Tenbury on 12 minutes and the opener was not far away.

Adam Everall’s driven free-kick from 30 yards evaded everyone and flew past Colts keeper Kieron Roche.

Leading marksman Mark Boucker doubled the advantage on 25 minutes by drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner.

Dan Crowther’s movement afforded Ashley Smith the space to fire in a shot that bounced back off the upright for Charlie Gould to net for Ludlow seven minutes before half-time but there was still time for the pendulum to swing again before the break.

Morgan Mackenzie fouled Alex Bright in the penalty area and Boucker made no mistake from the spot to restore Tenbury’s two-goal cushion.

Ludlow grabbed a quick lifeline two minutes after the restart when Town's stand-in keeper Jack Moran dropped Crowther’s initial shot and the ricochet was fired in to make it 3-2.

Roche hit the deck with an ankle injury and on 58 minutes there was a telling moment when he could only push Everall’s shot as far as Alex Bright who pounced to give Tenbury the platform for victory.

With 20 minutes to play, winger Toby Gittens made the points safe by cutting in from the right and unleashing a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Ludlow refused to give in and Crowther’s persistence put him through with his attempt was diverted into his own net by retreating Tenbury substitute Simon Morris.

“Ludlow were good,” said Tenbury spokesperson Carl Lambert. “They got the ball down, played some nice stuff and to be honest, ran us ragged for the first 10 minutes.

“It was a case of experience over youth. Most of their players are 17 or 18 and you can imagine them having a good side once they develop over the next couple of years. They’re not bad now.”

Colts are set for another stern test of their progress when they travel to Hereford City on Saturday (2.30pm).