Ledbury Town entertained Tipton Town FC in the Express and Star Premier Division on Saturday in a very tense atmosphere.

LEDBURY TOWN 2, TIPTON TOWN 1

Ledbury manager Paul Wilband was forced to change only one player from Tuesday night's excellent draw at Tividale and this still gave him one of the strongest line-ups played this season.

This certainly showed as within seconds of the kick off Duncan Preedy just failed to round off a magnificent five-pass interchange without a visiting player having touched the ball. Both teams then played some very neat and precise football with Ledbury's Stuart Smith heavily involved.

Ledbury's top marksman Robbie Colwell nearly opened the scoring when collected a good pass from Ian Stewart and hit the ball just wide of the upright.

With both teams competing hard for the ball, some tackles were somewhat over zealous but Ledbury kept pressing and finally got the break that they deserved.

Preedy moved across the pitch and laid the ball in Colwell's path who turned inside beating the two defenders and struck a terrific low shot past the visiting goalkeeper.

With the game warming up there was several fierce tackles and many heated exchanges but another pass from Preedy pushed Stewart right down to the byeline where he conjured up a great curling cross which was met by Colwell who headed home under the challenge of the Tipton goalkeeper.

Half time came and during the interval Preedy was withdrawn due to an ankle injury.

The second half was just as fraught as the first half with tackles and tempers on the edge. Early in the half Ledbury lost influential defender Steve Powell through injury and this seemed to unsettle Ledbury who dropped back trying to cover defensively thus giving the upper hand to the Tipton forwards.

Good defensive play by Chris Powell and goalkeeper Rory Hollingshead kept the Ledbury side going when it was needed but sporadic attacks became concerted pressure and finally Tipton scored when a cross by Craig Mansell eluded every one and slipped inside the far post.

Ledbury hit back with some fine play that nearly gave them hope for an easier finish to the game. One attack saw Colwell striking from 20 yards out beating the goalkeeper but striking the bar. Stewart had a downward header miss by inches and Colwell was once again through on goal only to be brought down by a Tipton defender.

Unfortunately the officials' last act was to send off Peter Brown for delaying the continuation of play and considering all of the exchanges that had been occurring between both teams this did seem rather an unlucky dismissal.

Ledbury finished winners and can now look forward to moving back up the league table, as the squad now looks as strong and sometimes classy as the best the league can offer.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury are away to Causeway United (2.45pm).