Century of goals for league champions Ludlow Town Colts

Hosts Shobdon knew they had to win the game to keep the title race mathematically alive, although even then they were reliant on Ludlow failing to pick up a single point from their remaining fixtures.

As a result, the first half was unsurprisingly cagey with Shobdon shading proceedings, although Ludlow did have a strong penalty shout turned down when Kieran Dovey seemed to be brought down in the box.

Shobdon took the lead two minutes into the second half as Colts failed to deal with a corner but, as so often in recent weeks, going behind stirred Ludlow into life.

They have should have levelled immediately but Simon Bradley missed a sitter after great work by Jack Marston, who then saw a free-kick tipped over the bar by the Shobdon keeper.

But the game turned on a two-minute spell after the 54th minute as Dan Griffiths drew Ludlow level and Jack Gittoes put them in front shortly after.

They made it 3-1 when Martin Edwards produced an exquisite chip over the Shobdon defence to find Bradley who fired home.

Bradley and Gittoes both missed chances but the latter made it 4-1 with a stunning goal as he flicked the ball up over the centre-half and hit it on the volley.

Ludlow have now scored more than 100 goals in all competitions with four players – Griffiths (20), Jabez Smith (17), Daniel Crowther (15) and Bradley (11) – passing the double-figure barrier.

With Colts now assured of promotion, they will still have a large say in who accompanies them into the Premier Division, assuming the league decides that two teams will be promoted.

Ludlow host second-placed Shobdon on Thursday before a quick turnaround – which will mean they have played four times in 11 days – when they visit third-placed Hinton Reserves this Saturday.

Should they avoid defeat in both of those games, Ludlow then have the chance to end the league season unbeaten away at Holme Lacy Reserves on May 4.