TIM Flowers lamented his side’s ability to defend set-pieces after Bromsgrove Sporting conceded from two free-kicks in a home defeat against Stourbridge.
Sporting’s frailty at set-pieces continued against Stour as former players Nathan Hayward and Jack Newall both headed in from free-kicks at the Victoria Ground.
The goals turned the game on its head after Niall Flint put the Rouslers in front only for Stour to strike twice in the final eight minutes.
And Flowers made his frustrations clear as an inability to defend set-pieces left the Rouslers empty-handed once again.
Flowers said: “I spend hours watching tapes and footage, everyone has got a man they’re picking up, the five players we expected to go in the box went in the box.
“The two players who scored had been on the pitch from minute zero and both the lads who are marking them knew they were their men.
“In the end, that’s the cost us the game and a minimum of a point. We looked decent value for the one-nil lead, I didn’t think it was a particularly good game.
“If you can’t defend the ball in your box from a set-piece in this division [you get punished].
“That’s three free-kicks now in two games that have cost us defeat in both games.
“I’ve just got to keep chipping way and we’ve got to somehow get over the line this year.
“The future is bright because of the guys who are coming in but we don’t want to start next year trying to play back through into this division.”
Following a goalless first period, Sporting eventually broke the deadlock on 71 minutes when Flint slotted home Jack Newell’s long ball.
However, the visitors equalised on 82 minutes as Hayward looped a header into the right corner of the goal following a free-kick in to the box.
Stour stunned Sporting in the final minute when Newall headed in Brad Bood’s free-kick from the left to leave the home side empty-handed.
And Flowers admits he is still looking to add players to his squad to aid the club’s survival hopes.
Flowers added: “It’s not all doom and gloom. It’s a game we should have got something out of.
“But I’m sick to death of saying that and I’m sick to death of protecting [some players].
“I’ve got to look at it. I’m trying to bring things in and players in and I’ll keep doing that.
“A lot of the lads that have come in have made us a better team.
“Everything I know, I’m trying but replacing people is not that easy at the moment.”
Bromsgrove are next in action against Harborough Town on Tuesday, March 17 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Victoria Ground.
