Added Dec 3rd 2007 -

Rothwell Town 0 - 1 Malvern Town

Rothwell Town's lack of firepower proved costly again as they lost to a single goal against Malvern.

That came from Malvern's only attempt on target in the second half when Jamie Hyde headed home a cross from the right at the far post.

Bones manager Ian Jackson admitted he is at a loss as to how to turn things around after five straight defeats and no league win in eight games.

He said: "I don't know what we have to do to win a game. We had chance after chance and dominated the game. But we just couldn't score!

"I also feel that the referee ruined the game for us because we definitely should have had two penalties in the first half. I was really proud of the lads, though, because they kept on going. They never gave up."

The first half was a scrappy affair with the only noteworthy action coming from the match official. On two occasions Rothwell felt they should have had pen alty kicks awarded but Mr Robertson did not see it that way.

Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Bones had five attempts on goal with Scott Cross, Gokan Ulkan and Steve Purton all having shots blocked or saved.

But, as is often the way in football, with Rothwell pushing forward the visitors took the ball to the other end and scored.

Rothwell continued to press for the majority of the half. But no-one seemed able to find the back of the net.

The defeat leaves Rothwell still three places off the bottom but both both sides below them – including Malvern – won their games.

They will now hope to halt this run of bad results when they travel to Stourport Swifts tomorrow night.

Rothwell: Smith, Bridgeford, Tolton, Rice, Greasley, Flannigan, Stead, Sneddon (sub Boyle-Chong, 18 mins), Cross (sub Underwood, 74 mins), Ulkan (sub Koriya, 60 mins), Purton. Subs not used: Collis, McInally.

Malvern: L Sykes, Baker, Brake, Boyle, Aubrey, Hyde, Crowther, New, Renshaw (sub Jones, 79 mins), Hughes (sub Clayton, 27 mins), Andrews. Subs not used: Widowson, Hardinghall, J Sykes.

Referee: Mr Robertson

Goal: Hyde (51 mins, 0-1)

Bookings: Sneddon (diving), Hyde (kicking ball away)

Bones man of the match: Micky Tolton (good all-round effort)

Match rating: 4