DISAPPOINTING Dudley Town became the first side this season to lose to basement boys Wellington Amateurs.

The Robins, under the guidance of caretaker boss Ash Horton following Andy Allardice's departure last month, suffered a 2-0 away defeat last Saturday.

They now sit second from bottom in the West Midlands Premier League after losing 12 of their opening 16 fixtures.

However, Town's search for a new boss edged closer to completion with interviews scheduled.

Chairman Steve Austin said: "The application deadline closed last Friday and a shortlist of candidates will be spoken to next week."

He was disappointed with the defeat at Wellington, adding: "Wellington have signed a lot of new players since the last time we played them but that is no excuse for the loss.

"We just didn't turn up in the first half and were always playing catch up.

"We were much better in the second half but didn't take our chances to get back into it."

Meanwhile, the pitch at the Dell Stadium is still off limits due to badgers digging up the playing surface, as revealed in the News last week.

Daily repair work is still not fixing the issue and has again meant this Saturday's clash with ninth-placed Wednesfield has again been reversed to an away fixture.

"It's an on-going issue because they come back every night and dig it up again," explained Austin.

"The council repair it daily but the areas they repair still didn't pass the referee's inspection because the soil isn't compact enough.

"We have passed on the referee's comments to the council."

However, a charity match this Sunday (2.30pm kick-off) between a Dudley Town XI and Wolves All-Stars will go ahead as planned with the artificial pitch at the Dell booked as back-up.

The event will aim to raise cash for the Mayors' charities.