Wayward Saints fail to find salvation in Church

Saints manager Luke Fogarty was left frustrated on Tuesday night after his side slipped to their third single-goal league defeat in a row against Coventry Copsewood at Banbury Road.

Both sides came into the encounter looking to regain winning form after recent reverses, but there was little of note in an even first half.

Copsewood defender Ben Atkins came the closest to breaking the deadlock with a long-range effort that Jim Stott just managed to tip over the bar.

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Saints had more of the play in the second period, but lost out to a goal in the 72nd minute when, with their defence all at sea, Michael Wallace set up winger Ronnie Sekhadde to head home from close range.

Saints should have snatched a point with four minutes remaining, but a four-man move ended with sub Luke Church hitting the post with the goal at his mercy.

After the euphoria of their midweek cup win over Stockingford AA, Saints came down to earth with a bump on Saturday, as a goal just a minute from time by Phil Green saw them slip to defeat at Pershore Town.

Saints only had themselves to blame as they created a number of chances right from the first minute when Church charged down a clearance and, having been put in by Tunde Ajibade, shot just over.

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Then, Tim Pole set up James Hardie, whose shot was tipped over, and the home keeper came to the rescue again when saving from Jack Taylor.

Saints thought that they had taken the lead in the 19th minute as Taylor set up Church, who put the ball into the net, only for his effort to be ruled offside.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, John Blunsom received a short throw from Ajibade and drilled a low cross to Hardie who side-footed just wide.

After the interval, another chance went begging as Charlie Neale missed a free header from a Blunsom corner

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Pershore almost took the lead in the 68th minute, with Stott only able to stand and watch as a free-kick came back of the post after Quentin Townsend had seen yellow for a shirt-pull.

It looked like ending in a stalemate until Saints lost the ball in midfield and Green punished them with a fierce shot that gave Stott no chance.

Tomorrow, Saints are at home to Massey Ferguson (3pm) while on Tuesday they make the short trip to Allard Way to meet Coventry Copsewood again (7.45pm).