LUDLOW Town Colts boss Scott Mackenzie insists the pressure is all on title rivals Shobdon ahead of this weekend’s Herefordshire Division One showdown.

Colts stretched their cushion at the summit to seven points over second-placed Hinton Reserves with last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Belmont Wanderers.

But fourth-placed Shobdon – with their games in hand – look Ludlow’s likeliest challengers and the two meet twice before the end of the season.

Shobdon are at home this Saturday and Mackenzie says it is ‘do or die’ for the hosts while knowing Ludlow’s unbeaten record has left them plenty of room for error.

Mackenzie said: “Out of the eight games we have left, we can afford to lose four and still win the league, so it’s not the end of the world if we do lose at Shobdon.

“We try to win every game and end the season unbeaten but it’s not a do-or-die match for us – it is for them.

“All the pressure is on Shobdon, they have to win. They probably have to win every game for the rest of the season.

“But we know we can go there and win, we have had some big performances throughout the season and we seem to play better against the better teams.”

Mackenzie admitted Colts will need to improve on their below-par display against Belmont although he was always confident of victory.

Dan Griffiths rounded the keeper to put Ludlow ahead but it needed a fine save from Kieron Roche, pushing a Belmont shot on to the bar, to keep the lead intact.

Nath Priday and Griffiths set up Jabez Smith to make it 2-0 before half-time and the latter had a second-half goal disallowed for offside after Belmont had pulled one back.

Mackenzie admitted: “Every game is tough for us because every team wants to be the one to beat us.

“We weren’t great but we still ground out a result – we were just glad to get the three points and move on. But we definitely need to improve this Saturday.”