HINTON Reserves suffered a blow in their bid to take the Herefordshire County League Division One title after they suffered a 3-1 defeat by rivals Ludlow Town Colts.

Jabez Smith hit the crossbar in the opening stages before Ludlow took a ninth-minute lead through Jamil Kezze.

Hinton’s first chance almost yielded an equaliser but Colts keeper Kieron Roche made a superb save and Ludlow had a let off when a free-kick flew in but was disallowed.

Ludlow again flew out of the blocks after the break and Kezze made it 2-0 on 55 minutes and Rhys Lewis teed up Daniel Griffiths for the third before Hinton netted a late consolation goal through Marlon Ransome.

Ludlow now sit a point above Hinton but with four games in hand.

In the Premier Division title rivals Wellington Reserves and Clee Hill maintained their form after the Christmas break by both running out 5-1 winners.

Peter Wall continued his scoring form for Welly by netting four times against Holme Lacy.

Westfields Reserves kept their slim title hopes alive by running out 4-0 winners over basement side Tenbury Town with Callum Ditchfield, Oliver Smith, Ben Thomas and Ieuan Woodcock all finding the net.

Ledbury Town kept their hopes of a high finish alive with a 5-2 victory over Ewyas Harold with Simon Cooke netting a brace while further goals came from Joe Bullock, Curt Williams and Harri John.

However, Fownhope dropped points after being held to a 2-2 draw by improving Tenbury United.