Ledbury Town were away for the first leg of their League Cup semi-final last Saturday and although their performance was below par they are just one goal adrift for the second leg at home on April 22.

SEDGLEY WHITE LIONS 3, LEDBURY TOWN 2

Ledbury began brightly with Colwell and Preedy both going close early on. Sedgley also had their chances and could themselves have taken the lead but for the efforts of Welch, Forshaw and Matthews in the Ledbury defence.

The game was becoming a closely fought battle in the midfield with both sides having to work very hard to build attacks and after 20 minutes the breakthrough came. A Preedy corner was powered into the net by the head of Ian Forshaw to give Ledbury a 1-0 lead.

After the goal Ledbury seemed to ease off the pace a little and after a few near misses Sedgley were awarded a penalty. Chris Powell adjudged to have handled. The spot kick was converted and Sedgley were level at 1-1.

Ledbury saw the last of the first half action with Preedy going close only to see his efforts thwarted by the Sedgley keeper.

The second half started much the same as the first with both sides jostling to get the upper hand. The Ledbury midfield of Bullock, Herbert and Jones were working hard to carve openings for the front two but apart from a mistimed shot by Jones, Ledbury were being pressed back.

After ten minutes of the half Ledbury lost Herbert through injury, he was replaced by Clueit who tried to impose some calm throughout the Ledbury side but the Sedgley pressure was eventually rewarded. A deep cross wasn't cleared and the Sedgley striker blasted home from ten yards.

Ledbury began to pile the pressure on and with five minutes to go another Preedy corner saw Colwell climb highest to head Ledbury level.

Town thought they'd got a draw but in the last minute of the game Sedgley were awarded a corner and from the kick an unmarked Sedgley player headed goalwards only to see Welch and Cole somehow deflect it onto the post and out for another corner. The next corner was an exact repeat except for the finish, the header somehow squeezed between Powell and the post for the winner.

On Monday night Ledbury Town picked up three Bank's Brewery League Division One (South) points when they defeated Cradley Reserves 2-0 away. Scorers were Duncan Preedy and Chris Matthews.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury play hosts to local rivals Bromyard Town, kick off 3pm.