Ledbury were brought back down to earth in the West Midlands premier division after notching 16 goals in their previous three games.

SMETHWICK ST 2, LEDBURY TOWN 1

In a very lacklustre and uninspiring performance Smethwick deservedly took the three points, despite playing the entire second half with ten men.

Things started well for Ledbury when a flowing move involving Lee Hooper and Stuart Hall saw Hall lay the ball into the path of the onrushing Neil Gardiner, who smashed the ball home from 12 yards.

Less than a minute later though the scores were level after indecision in the Ledbury box saw Davinder Sangha pounce on a loose ball and side-foot home from just six yards

Smethwick then grew in confidence and more than matched Ledbury in every department. Despite a Lee Hooper strike ruled out for offside, Ledbury rarely troubled Sandip Bains in the Smethwick goal.

Tempers flared on the stroke of half-time and Smethwick's captain Ricky Marshall was sent off.

The extra man advantage failed to lift Ledbury in the second half and as the game wore on Smethwick took control with the lively Mujahid Aziz a constant thorn in Ledbury's side.

Smethwick collected the three points on 86 minutes when a powerful Rob Sayers free-kick from 20 yards beat both the wall and keeper and flew into the net to give a jubilant ten-man Smethwick a well-earned victory.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Town return to New Street and entertain Wolverhampton United. The match kicks-off at 2.45pm.