KIDDERMINSTER Caro-lians are confident of an upturn in fortunes ahead of this weekend's clash with Old Yardlians after coming within a missed conversion of ending their frustrating losing run.

But for Tom Oakes' last gasp kick falling just short of the posts, KCs would have secured victory against the Midlands Three West North high-fliers - instead they suffered an agonising 25-26 defeat.

Despite three successive league reverses and their first round Powergen Intermediate Cup exit, player coach Andy Stooksbury believes the Marlpool Road men still have reasons to be cheerful.

A Tom Oakes penalty and a Tom Scandrett try after good work by Eddie Ross gave KCs an 8-7 half time advanatage with Ludlow hittng back with a converted try against the run of play.

The second half was again a close encounter with the lead changing hands several times.

Ludlow edged in front with a converted try with KCs narrowing the gap to 13-14 straight from the kick off when Olly Toms touched down.

With Oakes missing the conversion and a subsequent penalty, amongst a total of six wasted kicks, KCs would later rue the chances that got away.

As the clock ticked down, the Shropshire side increased their lead with two quick tries and one conversion and KCs seemed dead and buried.

But in a frantic final five minutes, KCs came within a whisker of claiming their first league points of the season.

Ross burst through the defence to score and with Oakes kicking a good conversion Kcs were within one converted try of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Straight from the kick off Mat Rigsby made an awesome run which then led to some good work from Dan Quinn to allow Andy Webber to cross the line close to the corner.

But with the pressure on, Oakes's difficult kick lacked the distance and Ludlow held on for their third successive league win.

Giovanni Lacconni and Toms were excellent in the back row, as was Rigsby when he moved to Number 8. Greg Smith made a positive impression when he came on at prop and James Whitehouse and Scandrett looked dangerous with ball in hand.

KC's victors in the Poweregen Intermediate Cup, Newport, have earned a second round tie at Wolverhampton.