CHURCH Stretton blew the chance to move away from the foot of the Mercian League Premier Division table after slipping to defeat by Allscott.

The home defeat was a setback for Stretton who were hoping to put the previous a 3-0 defeat by Childs Ercall but fell to a frustrating 2-1 loss.

The south Shropshire side had been leading 1-0 until the final 10 minutes.

"I think a mixture of sickness and playing the percentages played a massive part," said Church Stretton boss Paul Smith.

"For the first 60 minutes we were the better side."

After a fairly even first half, new signing John Barber scored Stretton's goal on his debut but Smith said his side started to sit back in the final half hour - and paid the price.

"From about 60 minutes onwards we sat back too much and got caught out," he said.

"If they had stuck their foot through the ball we would have been alright.

"We probably shaded the first half but towards the end we looked a bit nervous.

"We've just got to learn to get the ball away and be more difficult to break down."

Smith said that along with Barber, who has joined from Cruckton Rovers, he says he also hopes to bring in another player shortly.

The club, which remains second bottom, has no game this weekend but travel to Shifnal United 97 on December 13.

Meanwhile, in Division One, Clee Hill United's game at Impact United was postponed.