THE DAFFS led Ludlow 1-0 at half-time in a chilly 2026 opener on Saturday.

But it was the Knights who were chilling afterwards with all three points, having fought back to win 2-1 through a coolly-taken goal three minutes from time.

A Daffs mistake at the back gave Ludlow’s winger space to cut inside after six minutes, but a fantastic save from keeper Leyton Joyce kept it level.

Ben Harbourne’ superb ball to Sam Judge was then well cut out by the visiting keeper, before the goalie took out Dylan Hart through on goal after 15 minutes, with the ref pointing to the spot, only for the striker to blast over with the keeper going the other way.

A slip on the edge of the box from Ludlow then gave Elliott Vanstone a chance on 20 minutes, but he too fired high.

Vanstone next fired in a cross, but the keeper was equal to it before another shot whistled over.

Ludlow then countered fast down their left, but Joyce snuffed out the danger.

A teasing ball from Kyle Taylor couldn’t find a yellow shirt as the Ludlow keeper gathered, then straight back at the other end, a dangerous ball squared across the box invited a tap in no one could connect with.

But Hart then broke the deadlock just after the half hour, Jaber Ahmed putting him through one-on-one before slotting it under the keeper into the far corner.

And two minutes later, the lead was nearly doubled, a magnificent ball over the top from Ahmed to Judge hit on the volley over the keeper, but cleared off the line.

Ludlow countered with a shot fizzing wide, and right on half-time trickery on the edge of the Daffs box resulted in a free-kick bouncing to a striker, only for Joyce to keep it 1-0 at the break with a great save.

But Ludlow levelled five minutes into the second period, George Crump beating two players in midfield and playing a ball over to the left for Ryan Clarke to run onto and fire a deflected shot past the Newent keeper.

And they had the ball in the net seven minutes later only for it to be ruled offside.

Judge then got in behind the Knights defence, but his shot flashed just wide.

And six minutes from time, Newent almost nailed it, Nest breaking through and forcing a save from the keeper with Hart blasting over the rebound.

That proved costly, as just three minutes later a blistering counter attack saw Clarke fire in his second for 2-1 to the visitors, Ramzi Killiscan playing a great pass through the middle for the former to coolly slide into the bottom corner for his and Ludlow's second.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Howle Hill romped to a 6-0 JO Roberts Cup victory over Milkwall at their Weston-under-Penyard ground, Joe Roberts firing a hat-trick backed by a Conner Watkins brace and a goal from Ben Hall.

Lydbrook 2nds won through 5-4 on penalties in the George Sandoe Cup after a 3-3 Wyeside draw with Yorkley, Joe Carruthers, Adam Ward and Jermaine Kijuu the hosts’ scorers in normal time.

And Ruardean Hill 2nds secured bragging rights with a 6-1 North Gloucestershire One defeat of hosts Ruardean United, Rudy Davies firing a hat-trick, backed by goals from Alfie Reed, Aaron Bennett and Ben Ball.