BROMYARD Town crashed to their first defeat of the season ending a six-match winning streak in the process.

The division's early pace setters had two players sent off in their 1-0 home defeat to newly promoted AFC Ludlow.

Assistant manager Nick Smith said: “We didn’t get going at all today - we didn’t flow like we normally do.

“Ludlow came here, they worked hard and they wanted it twice as much as we did.

“They were all over us to be honest, we didn’t get time to play the ball like we normally do.”

After an even opening 10 minutes, the visitors started to take control and might have had a penalty when striker Jamie Smith went down under the challenge of Shane Smallcross.

Ludlow continued to create chances with home goalkeeper Dean Smith called into action in the 24th minute to save well from Marian Jusko.

Ludlow finally took the lead just after half time when Jusko put a ball through for his brother Martin and he finished well.

Bromyard created a couple of opportunities for their pacy striker Dorian Colling, one of which he hit the post with.

Bromyard had to rely on Dean Smith to save them again when he kept out a penalty kick which was awarded for the foul committed by Luke Molloy, for which he received a straight red.

“The problem is there were lads out there today who were more concerned with arguing with the referee instead of getting on with the game and that’s why we had two players sent off," said Nick Smith.

“I just think it's young lads who don’t keep their mouths shut really - you’re not going to change the referee’s decision.”

Five minutes later it got worse for the hosts as Aston Gunter was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Nick Smith said: “They had more desire to win than us and everybody thought that we could roll through this season without losing.

"But today showed you have got to put 100% in.

“To lose points at home is a real big blow for us today but Ludlow had lost the last two and they wanted to pick it back up and they deserved the win.

Despite the result, Bromyard are still top of the division and Smith is pleased with the start to the season.

“We’ve been really happy with the lads this season, we’re a good unit but today it was more huffing and puffing”, he said.

Bromyard have been drawn away to Hereford United’s FA Cup conquerors Ellistown & Ibstock United in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round and Smith believes it will be a tough match.

“They’re a very good side, I’ve been told," he said. "They beat Kirby Muxloe as well and our problem is we’ve had two sent off today who won’t be available for the Vase.”

The league leaders now head to Trysull for their next league game this weekend and Smith is seeing it as an opportunity to erase last weekend’s performance from the memory.

“Trysull beat Ludlow the other week so we know we’re going to be in a big game but we need to regroup and go forward again.”