SQUAD depth can see Ludlow Colts come good during a congested second half of the season, says joint boss Mark Tonkinson – but he admits they need to learn better game management.

Colts let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 at Wellington Reserves in the Herefordshire Premier on Saturday, their first defeat since October.

A fortnight earlier, Ludlow had been on the right end of such a comeback after battling from 3-0 down to beat Holme Lacy but Tonkinson wants consistency.

He said: “We didn’t come out for the second half which was disappointing and it’s something we need to improve – we need to see off games and manage them a bit better.

“It’s a young side but I said to them afterwards ‘let’s not do that again’. It was one of those games you have to learn from.”

Colts led 2-0 at the break as Jabez Smith slotted home from the spot after being fouled and Matt Tilson crossed for Sam Thomas to head home the second.

But they had no answer to Wellington’s second-half fightback and Tonkinson is looking for a response at Ledbury Town this Saturday.

That game is one of 18 league matches Colts have still to play – they have played only eight thus far – but Tonkinson feels they will comfortably avoid trouble despite dropping to fifth-bottom.

He added: “We have hardly played any of the teams below us so those are games we need to win. I think we will be fine.

“Everybody is hungry to play and we have a massive squad. It’s going to be two or three games a week but with a squad our size that’s no problem.

“Not everybody can play midweek games and not everyone has the luxury of floodlights, so other teams may struggle.”

Clee Hill United missed out on the chance to regain top spot as they were held 1-1 at home by Ewyas Harold despite Stevie Preece’s classy chip putting them ahead.

The defending champions are winless in four games in all competitions and boss Wayne Whitbread hopes they can get back on track at Fownhope on Saturday.

He said: “We had 12 months where everything went our way – no injuries, decision on the pitch went in our favour. Now we are picking up injuries and decisions are going against us.

“We’ve got to rise above it, roll up our sleeves, and the results will come.”

In Division One, goals from Adam Dovey, Jack Mear and Kyle Whitticase put Ludlow Colts Reserves 3-0 up but they ended up drawing 3-3 at home to Wellington Colts.

Tenbury Town’s game at Leominster was frozen off and they visit Hanley Swan in the Worcestershire Cup quarter-final this Saturday.

Division One leaders Tenbury United visit title rivals Ross Juniors in a big six-pointer this weekend.