TOMMY SAUNDERS suffered the heaviest defeat of his managerial career in a baptism of fire as Swindon Supermarine's new boss.

Saunders cast a forlorn figure in the dug-out as he watched his side crumble to a 6-0 Dr Martens League thrashing at Halesowen.

A two-goal burst after half an hour left Marine on the ropes and three quickfire strikes at the start of the second period knocked them out cold.

A sixth on the hour completed the rout, and left the new manager stunned.

"It was a sobering experience," he said.

"At 3-0 some of the lads seemed to throw the towel in and it was embarrassing.

"I've managed for 12 years and that was the most embarrassed I have ever been.

"It was the worst defeat I've suffered by a long, long way."

In fairness, Saunders could not have asked for a tougher introduction to life in the Marine hot-seat.

Halesowen, inspired by former Swindon Town youngster Frazer McHugh, produced a dazzling display and few sides in the league could have lived with them on this evidence.

Saunders' troops traded blows in a fair fight for the first 28 minutes before the walls caved in.

In fact, the visitors should have gone ahead when Barrie Matthews burst through the inside right channel and cut the ball back to Justin Miller.

The forward saw his shot palmed onto the head of strike partner Jimmy Carter, who failed to find an open goal from inside the six-yard box.

At the other end, Andy Spencer twice went close with fierce drives, the first clipping the crossbar and the second fizzing inches wide of Tom King's right-hand post.

Saunders seemed to be back in the groove on the sidelines, giving the nearest linesman a sustained ear-bashing after a dubious offside call.

But he was soon lost for words when his side suffered a double blow.

Darren McCluskey misjudged a header and Jason Ashby capitalised by lobbing a stranded King.

Within two minutes it was 2-0 as Dave Toomey's slip gave Ben Steane time and space on the left to cross for the unmarked Ashby, who headed home.

Saunders responded by switching from the wing-back system favoured by predecessor Ray Baverstock to his favoured 4-4-2 formation.

Marine duly rallied at the start of the second half before they capitulated completely in a shocking four-minute spell.

Steane opened the floodgates with a stunning 30-yard drive on 51.

The impressive McHugh, who was released by Bradford City last week, netted two minutes later after a sweeping move and Spencer quickly made it five.

Lewis Baker completed the scoring at the back post after another incisive break on the hour to leave Saunders wondering whether his return to the game was such a good idea.

"Halesowen were superb and they murdered us," he said.

"On that form they would be in the top half of the Premier Division.

"We were massively outclassed I can't even say we gave them a game.

"But I suppose things can only get better from here."

SUPERMARINE: King, Toomey, Futcher, Bennett, McCluskey, Copp, Edwards, Terry, Carter, Miller, Matthews.

Subs: Slattery, Blastland, Gee, Grainge, Gill.

Supermarine have signed former Swindon Town youngster Nathan Edwards on loan from Chippenham for a month.

The 19-year-old midfielder made his debut at Halesowen.

Marine are in action again on Wednesday, when they entertain Clevedon in the Western Division.