DUDLEY Sports slipped down to 16th spot in the West Midlands League Premier Division after suffering a 2-1 reverse at home to Shifnal Town, who leapfrogged above Sports as a result.

Dismayed Sports boss Tony Gore admitted to being really down after the defeat and said: "We were well below par and got exactly what we deserved out of the game, which was nothing!

"We didn't do enough to get anything out of the game which was so disappointing.

"You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't put the effort in, you won't get anything.

"We actually got back into the game at one stage after going a goal down when Ryan Thomas levelled for us on the hour. But then we took our foot off the gas again and allowed Shifnal to score a really soft goal."

It was Dudley Sport's sixth straight defeat and Gore insisted: "We got to stop the rot. We've got a bit of cushion between ourselves and the bottom three. The fact we've already got points on the board is a big plus, but we don't want to be slipping any further down."

Sport's prospects haven't been helped by the loss of several key players in the past couple of weeks.

Marksman Matt Hearsay has switched to join Midland League Premier side AFC Wulfrunians while both Kyle Belmote and Zaqib Hussein have moved to Malvern Town.

In addition, Sports have both Romano Graham and Rhys Henry missing through suspension.

Sports host AFC Bridgnorth this Saturday and Gore pulled no punches when he said: "We need to improve, because at the moment, we don't look like winning a game."