BIDDESTONE manager Gary Skidmore blamed the absence of five key players as his side threw away an early lead.

The defeat leaves Skidmore's men in more trouble as they notched their 14th defeat of the season.

The loss leaves them just four points above last place Shepton Mallet, who have two games in hand over Biddestone.

Biddestone were heavily depleted and were missing captain Will Edwards to an ankle injury, Andy Wileman with a knee injury, James Meaton and top scorer Luke Gullick to the 'flu, and defender Mark Jennings was on holiday.

Skidmore said: "We had too many defenders missing, it was a massive disruption."

He thought his side were well beaten. "We got caught in possession too often and we deserved to lose the game.

"There were too many players who were not at the races."

The windy conditions ensured a scrappy game as neither side failed to create anything apart from the four goals.

After 20 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock. Midfielder Dean Brookman unstitched the defence at the seems with a pinpoint pass to striker Joe Okucho.

He ran through unchallenged at the keeper and easily slotted in the opener.

Biddestone could not keep hold of the ball in the midfield and let their lead slip on 35 minutes.

A deep diagonal cross came in from the right and the unmarked striker nodded in at the back post.

Almondsbury came forward but some good defensive work by Ollie Mcaninch kept the hosts at bay until the half time whistle.

Biddestone looked to take the lead in the second half but failed at several attempts to deliver the killer pass.

It appeared they were missing top scorer Gullick as they failed to create anything up front.

The home side took the lead on the hour mark when a cross from the left found the striker eagerly waiting to tap in from close range.

The guests defended well to prevent a third with keeper Chris Snoddy having only a few crosses to deal with.

With a few minutes left Almondsbury netted the final goal.

A ball was punted up field by the defence and an unfortunate error from Mcaninch let the striker run through and smash in past Snoddy.

Skidmore is trying to put the performance behind him and is now looking ahead to the league match at home against Cadbury Heath at 2.15pm on Saturday.

He said: "I expect to have all five of the players back for that game, that will give us a great boost.

"We were not impressed with Heath in our last match and we hope to turn around the 3-0 defeat they gave us at the beginning of the season."