MANAGER Gary Skidmore blasted his players after what he described as a below par performance on Monday.

Skidmore told his Biddestone team there were no excuses after a woeful first half gave the visitors a two-goal lead.

He said: "We had a much better second half but the damage was already done and we got what we deserved.

"Chris Snoddy has been superb for us this season but was at fault for the two goals. I'm not just blaming him, the whole team did not manage to raise themselves like they did against Calne a week earlier."

Before the match Skidmore was crippled with the news that defenders Ollie Mcaninch and Andy Wileman were missing with illness, so midfielder Dean Brookman was dropped back into the centre back position.

The hosts failed to create any goal scoring opportunities in the first period and did not manage to get into the game.

After just 15 minutes the home side went a goal behind when Snoddy dived on a 30 yard shot along the floor. It squirmed under his body for the awaiting striker to pounce.

On the half hour mark the lead was doubled when a cross came into the box and Snoddy committed himself, missed the ball and the midfielder poked into an empty net.

Biddestone's midfield kept wasting the ball and could not get out of their half.

The second half was a different affair as Biddestone pounded the Wellington goal for vast periods.

Their best chance to score came on the hour when striker Mark Smith connected with a Luke Gullick cross but his screaming volley rattled off the crossbar. It fell to the feet of forward Joe Okucho who blasted over the gapping open goal.

The striker had another chance ten minutes later when he got on the end of a Will Edwards cross but his powerful header was straight at the keeper.

Winger Gullick also came close with a well-executed free kick but the keeper managed to get a slight fingertip on it and turn it over.

The manager is looking for an improved performance against high-flying Almondsbury on Saturday.

"We need to raise our game again, I told the players to imagine they are playing Calne every week."