Ledbury'S Reserves remain rooted to the bottom of the West Midlands Division One (South) table following a defeat to local rivals Malvern Rangers.

LTFC RESERVES 1, MALVERN RANGERS 3

Once again this season Ledbury were to rue missed chances and lapses of concentration in a match where they really should have claimed some points.

Kicking up the slope in the first half Malvern dominated the early proceedings with Rea and Tipton controlling the game. They deservedly took the lead when Smith failed to hold a ball under pressure allowing the following up Rangers player to score into an empty net. After this Ledbury began to find their feet and it came as a surprise when Malvern doubled their lead when Tipton headed home a corner at the far post.

For the remainder of the half the match was all Ledbury with the running of Grubb and Gardiner especially proving to be a constant menace to the Malvern defence. Time and again Ledbury attacked the Rangers' goal only to be denied by a combination of resolute defending and poor finishing.

Immediately after half time Ledbury finally pulled a goal back when, after good work by Mason, James Dean scored the simplest of goals tapping the ball into an empty net.

The pattern of play was set for Ledbury to exert real pressure on the Rangers goal, instead the opposite happened, Rangers reclaimed control of the midfield areas and duly regained their two goal lead.

Smith did well to block an initial effort on goal but Ledbury's defenders froze allowing a Rangers player to follow up and score for the second time that afternoon

In the final minutes Smith was sent off for throwing a punch at a Rangers striker who also saw red.

Ledbury Reserves have no game this weekend.