BEWDLEY Town slumped to their second defeat of the week with a disjointed 4-2 loss at Division One South championship rivals Ledbury.

Missing several key players, Bewdley gifted Ledbury three first-half goals.

And they only threatened the Ledbury goal once when the home keeper saved well from a Gavin Smith header.

The Wyre Forest side began better in the second half but were knocked back when Ledbury added a fourth goal, the best of the game.

Bewdley made a spirited effort to get back into the match and were rewarded with a penalty when Grant Gibbs was brought down with just the keeper to beat.

Gary Middleton duly obliged from the spot.

Bewdley were awarded a second penalty minutes later and after missing with his first attempt, Middleton was given another chance as the referee ordered a retake.

This time, he made no mistake and brought the deficit to two goals.

Middleton had a chance to secure his hat-trick but, with only the keeper to beat, he squared the ball and it ran clear of the Ledbury goal.

Bewdley kept up the pressure but were unable to score again and now face an uphill task to emerge with a top-two place.

Fixture, Saturday: Bustleholme v Bewdley (kick-off 3pm, players to meet at Wagon and Horses at 12.30pm).

Squad: Jones, Hipkins, Lawley, Ford, Harris, Middleton, Gallagher-Kennett, Hardiman, Smith, Field, Gibbs, Newman, Mares, Turford, Osbourne, Allsopp, Freeman, A Stewart, T Stewart, Newton.