LEDBURY Town were brought back down to earth with a bump as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to second-placed Clee Hill United at New Street in Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division.

Confidence was high at Ledbury after their 2-1 comeback win over leaders Wellington Reserves in the semi-finals of the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl.

But Clee Hill proved too strong for Town in the second half last Saturday as they scored three goals before Curt Williams converted a penalty late on.

Ledbury were also dealt a double injury blow with striker Charlie Docherty forced off with a foot issue before defender Matt Rooke also suffered a knock.

Rooke thought he had won his side a penalty when he was brought down in the box in the opening minutes but Town’s calls fell on deaf ears.

At the other end keeper Sean Arrowsmith performed a fine block with his feet in order to deny a threatening opening shot from the visitors.

Arrowsmith came to Ledbury’s rescue again with a good save after skipper Tom Trigg lost his footing in the box.

Moments prior to that Samuel Palmer-Young let fly with a superb 20-yard effort only for the ball to hit the bar.

After just three games back following a previous injury, Docherty’s run of bad luck this season continued as he was forced to retire.

Clee Hill kept threatening but were unable to break the deadlock. They raced away into the box only for a shot to sail harmlessly over before clipping the near post with one final effort of the first half.

But United's pressure told after the break as they took the ball round Arrowsmith before slotting it home.

Arrowsmith almost gifted the away side a second as he was caught well off his line but the shot rattled the bar.

The Town stopper saved a penalty on 66 minutes but Clee Hill netted the rebound to make it 2-0.

With Rooke unable to continue due to an earlier injury things went from bad to worse for Ledbury who conceded a third goal on 75 minutes following a well-placed header.

But Town grabbed a late consolation when Ben Febery was fouled in the box and Williams netted from the spot.

Pat Locke’s and Dean Rutter’s side, still fourth in the league, face fifth-placed Malvern Town Reserves at New Street on Saturday (2.30pm).

Ledbury Town Reserves lost 3-1 at Dore Valley in the semi-finals of the Ross Cup with Sam Branch scoring the only goal for the visitors.

Nick Blakeway’s and David Butcher’s young squad return to league action on Saturday with a basement battle at bottom club Ewyas Harold Reserves (2.30pm).