Ludlow Town 4 Ellesmere Rangers Reserves 4 (Ellesmere won 3-1 on penatiles FAILURES from the spot led to Ludlow being dumped out of the Insight Ron Jones Memorial Cup in a second round tie at The SBS Stadium.

Visiting Ellesmere took advantage of Ludlow’s lack of clinical finishing during the 120 minutes of open play and gave them an object lesson in the art of penaltytaking.

Ludlow had more of the possession and the better chances, especially through extra-time, but failed to convert them.

Ellesmere, who had converted two spot-kicks to keep them in the tie, then converted all three they took in the shoot-out, while their keeper saved two from Town and watched another miss the target.

After conceding a first-minute g o a l f rom a cro s s - c u m - s h o t , Ludlow settled down, and were 2- 1 ahead midway through the first half. Adam Williams was involved in both goals.

Williams crossed the ball for Nathan Hodge to turn and fire in the equaliser. And then, when the Rangers defence failed to clear an A a ro n Ho d g e s h o t , h e w a s o n hand to fire the ball home.

Sl o p py de f e n d i n g a l l owe d Ellesmere to tie the score from the penalty spot. Nathan Hodge sent the home side in 3-2 up at the break after he scored his second goal during a goal-mouth scramble.

The visitors levelled the score once again, but Town were back in the lead when Aaron Hodge broke free to score.

They looked to be heading for round three until Jamie Marsh gave away a penalty, which levelled the score at 4-4.

● Bishop’s Castle are also out of the competition. The Division 1 side put up a decent performance, but can have no complaints a f t e r h i g h e r- g ra d e d Ne w p o r t Town ran out worthy 3-1 winners.

At 2-0 down after 50 minutes they looked to be beaten, but Gwynfor Francis injected life into the tie for a while when he scored.

A th i rd go a l t ow a rd s t h e e n d ended their resistance.

● LUDLOW Co l t s, wh o we re playing catch-up for much of the game eventually went down 4-3 at h o m e t o Ba y s t o n Hi l l i n t h e Shropshire Alliance.

After having two players injured, and replaced early on, Ludlow went 2-0 down.

Goals from Rob Taylor either side of the break tied the score.

Ke l v i n Powe l l c a n c e l l e d o u t another Hill goal, but despite having two penalty shouts turned down themselves, the Colts conceded a late winner in a hectic finish.