LEDBURY Town's hopes of winning the league title were dealt a significant blow on Saturday as a last-minute equaliser from Welland's goalkeeper saw them drop crucial points and hand the advantage over to rivals Inkberrow.
Having beaten Worcester United in mid-week, Ledbury's task was simple enough; win their final two league games and the title would be theirs, having beaten Sporting Club Inkberrow 1-0 the weekend before.
The afternoon had started brightly for the visitors when Rares Micula volleyed home to give them the early lead.
But mid-table Welland grew into the game and goals from James Lush and Sean Smith put them 2-1 up late in the first-half.
Tom Boyle then scored his 24th goal of the season to equalise right on the stroke of half-time to leave the scores at 2-2.
Lewis Williams then looked to have scored the winner in the 67th minute when his long-range effort whistled past the keeper and nestled into the top corner.
The visitors had managed the game well enough from there onwards but with 30 seconds left in stoppage time, Welland found an equaliser as goalkeeper Daniel Hughes came up for a corner and provided the decisive touch.
Ledbury players, coaches and supporters could not believe what they had seen and there was an element of total shock before the result sunk in.
Inkberrow's then compounded the result for Ledbury as they won 3-1 on Tuesday night to go one point clear with one game to go.
Ledbury host Wellington Rangers on Saturday at New Street needing to win and hope that Inkberrow do not beat Holme Lacy in order for Ian Merrick's side to lift the trophy.
It will be a dramatic final day with twists and turns likely, but now it is out of Ledbury's hands and given that they have led this league throughout the season, it would be a huge disappointment if they were to be pipped to it in the final two games.
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