CHURCH Stretton boss Scott Peever says his side cannot keep hiding behind the ‘unlucky’ tag and must start grabbing games by the scruff of the neck.

Stretton lost their top-two West Midlands League Division Two clash 2-1 at home to leaders Coven Athletic on Saturday – their third defeat by a one-goal margin this season.

James Hill put Stretton ahead but two goals either side of half-time gave the visitors victory, with Owen Holdsworth and Matty Jones missing the hosts’ best chances to level.

Peever said: “It was a frustrating afternoon, we had a good start and went 1-0 up but let in a really soft equaliser on the break which changed the game.

“It was a ‘nothing’ game – we said at half-time that we just needed someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck but no one did.

“We’ve played Coven twice now and they have beaten us twice – there was nothing in either game but we can’t keep saying we are unlucky if we keep getting edged out.”

Stretton visit basement side AFC Bridgnorth Development this Saturday, with Peever admitting: “On paper it’s the game you would want.

“But we have to go there not thinking two or three games ahead, which is something we have been guilty of doing."