STOURBRIDGE boss Gary Hackett has praised his players for the way they bounced back from last Saturday's defeat and the horror injury to key man Ben Billingham.

The Glassboys put a nightmare trip to Matlock Town behind them to beat bottom side Belper Town 4-0 away on Tuesday night.

The Matlock game had seen Hackett's men lose 4-1, Billingham suffer a double break and dislocation to his ankle and Jordan Fitzpatrick red carded.

However, the Amblecote outfit responded in fine fashion to the satisfaction of their manager.

Goals from Kayelden Brown, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Kristian Ramsey-Dickson and Drew Canavan secured a much-needed three points.

Hackett said: "It has been my hardest week in football. Losing Ben is a massive blow to the side and it was a horrible moment.

"But, these things happen in football, it is how you respond that counts.

"I told the players that in adversity you can sometimes find strength, and that is exactly what they did. They showed brilliant mental strength to come back they way they did against Belper.

"Now is the time when others need to step up and fill the gaps and show they are capable of helping the team.

Hackett also confirmed he is searching for new recruits as the club's injury troubles continue to mount.

Leon Broadhurst, Peter Till, Louis Harris and Luke Benbow could all still be missing for Saturday's visit of Frickley Athletic to the War Memorial Ground.

The club will again be taking their time with star striker Benbow's on-going hamstring injury while they try to get to the bottom of the problem.

"We are looking at a number of targets, available both on loan and permanently, to help with the injury problems," added Hackett. "The main issue is finding players that are an improvement on what we already have.

"A big factor could be how well the player we already have in the squad respond. They now have the responsibility to fill the gaps."

Meanwhile, Ben Billingham has now returned home from hospital after having an operation in Chesterfield on Sunday morning. The dislocation was corrected before a plate was inserted.

The club and player have also been inundated with messages of support from well-wishers.